“The idea to start a skipping challenge came as I was spending time in isolation during lockdown in March after the pandemic started. I was very much inspired by Captain Tom Moore and my daughter Minreet Kaur wanted to set a challenge for me. As I am very fond of skipping, she told me to start this Skipping Sikh challenge. I am glad that over the course of last three months, I have been able to raise 13,450 pounds for the NHS and I am overwhelmed by the support. To be recognised as one of the Points of Light by UK PM is a great honour for me and I wish more and more people can join the challenge and help NHS in such times,” said Singh while speaking with The Indian Express from England.
Originally
belonging to Devidas Pura village near Amritsar and with his father Naik Makhan
Singh serving in British Indian Army in the Second World War, Singh moved to
England in the 1960s. While he used to work as a driver at the Heathrow airport
near London, Singh took part in marathons apart from running in charity runs,
where he also met legendary runner Fauja Singh. In the last three months, Singh
has skipped 500-1000 times daily at his Harlington home and the garden area
outside his home in an effort to raise funds.
“I
worked as a driver before and retired in 2018. I was an active runner and ran
in marathons and also love cycling. Growing up in my village near Amritsar, I
had learnt skipping from my father and I found it as the easiest sport in terms
of setting up and ability to do it anywhere. I am glad that my challenge has
touched hearts everywhere. I’ve had a three-year-old girl taking up the
skipping challenge to an 81-year-old grandfather taking up the challenge.
People from India, USA, Canada, Australia and UK have donated and it’s a
tribute to the NHS workers. They don’t walk away from a pandemic and are the
frontline force against this pandemic,” adds Singh.
While
England eased out the lockdown regulations last month with new set of
guidelines regarding unlocking the country starting July 4 including opening up
of pubs and restaurants, Singh wants people to remain cautious. Singh’s daughter,
Minreet Kaur, and wife, Pritpal Kaur, have also been honouring Covid-19 heroes in
their community baking cakes for them.
“With parks opening up in recent
weeks, I am taking this challenge to the park following social distancing measures and I also sometime skip while standing in
queue outside grocery store and people have been supportive of this challenge.
I will continue this challenge for one more week and we also plan to organise a
‘skipathon’ in a local park with social distancing. Keeping yourself mentally
fit is the biggest asset in such times and I am happy to play my part for the
public. My wife and daughter have been honouring our neighborhood heroes and
that’s what we have been taught in Sikhism: to support and love,” says Singh.
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