Surjit Bhalla

[p]SPACE* 1000 mile Challenge[/p][p][b]*S[/b]urjit's[b]P[/b]ost[b]A[/b]chievement[b]C[/b]hallenge[b]E[/b]vent[/p][p] I was amongst the high-risk people who had to self-isolate from 23rd March 2020, initially for three months which lasted till 31st July 2020. [/p][p]I had already signed up in January 2020 with the Royal National Institute for the Blind for the 1000 of mile challenge, to be completed within a year. Self-isolation helped me to continue walking daily in my garden, instead of the park where I usually go. I continued my regime of walking an average of 5 miles a day. By 19th August 2020. [/p][p][b]I have completed 1017.76 miles, and to put it in another way:[/b][/p][p][b]I have taken 2,307,585 steps equivalent to 37295laps of my garden![/b][/p][p][b]Equivalent to walking from Lands End to John O’Groats (874 miles) – and beyond [/b][/p][p] In 2009/10 I could not even walk 10 yards. This Challenge has only been possible because in 2010 Doctors (Demi-Gods) and Nurses (Angels) at Kings College Hospital give me a renewed life ( I am told that I was resuscitated several times during that period). They continue to provide excellent after care as well.[/p][p]I have completed this challenge and I ask you help me to raise funds for NHS Doctors and Nurses at Kings College Hospital in London who, not only looked after me, but all those under their care so well for the last few years. They have remarkably come in the lime light because of Covid 19 Pandemic and they have shown their worth to the society, but they carry on regardless. [/p][p]For the spiritual side, I decided to read the Sikh Holy Scriptures- Siri Guru Granth Sahib- which I have had for a few years but never seriously read it. My possession is composed of eight volumes. Professional readers would complete the Scripture in 48 hours. It has taken me 75 hours to do a complete reciting I have been extremely fortunate being able to spend time reciting it in classical Punjabi with the translation in English. During the lockdown, I have completely read it twice and celebrated the final part on Zoom with my siblings and their families who ended up partaking a delicious vegetarian feast in their own homes![/p][p]I have also maintained my links with the outside world by arranging and attending several Virtual meetings via Zoom, with family and friends including members of the fraternal/charity societies. This latter proved to be extremely moving experience as I was able to engage globally with individuals from America, Bahamas, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, India, Singapore, Malaysia, several European countries and, of course, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, to name but a few. [/p][p]This social media forum has made the world ridiculously small, in that, one was able to see and communicate with people across the world. This has enriched my knowledge about humanity in general having heard and listened to how people across the world are coping with the Covid 19 Pandemic.[/p][p] I have also donated personally to various organizations for their Covid 19 work (around £1000)– to my Southall Lions Club, St Bart’s Hospital, Lodges, both local and in India, Friends who undertook took their own challenges ( two had their head shaved off) and Kings College Hospital where with the help of my family I was able to donate £1111.11 ( with gift Aid) = all the ones= for my eyes NHS hospital staff are HEROS ‘NUMBER ONE’. [/p][p]I look forward to your support. Thank you – My God bless you for your kind thoughts. [/p]