SKIPPING SIKH UNVEILS HIS NEW VENTURE
THE SKIPPING SIKH PLANS TO BOUNCE THROUGH THE LONDON MARATHON ON HIS 75TH BIRTHDAY
THE FAMOUS ‘Skipping Sikh’ from Hillingdon has announced his next venture – he plans to skip his way through the 26-mile-long London Marathon on his 75th birthday this October.
Rajinder Singh, 74, made headlines all around the world last year after sharing a 20-second video of himself skipping online, catapulting him to overnight stardom and raising £14,000 for the NHS .
Since then, the former Heathrow worker has been busy teaching children to skip, spending time with his wife and daughter and tending to his allotment near his home in Harlington.
Despite his age and arthritis, Mr Singh has inspired his social media followers with his energy and enthusiasm for skipping, which his father taught him when he was sevenyears-old.
He says getting a marathon place was ‘a dream come true’ and aims to raise money for learning disability charity Mencap.
“Even one pence makes a hell of a difference. I just want to do something good until my last breath.”
He tells MyLondon “I love skipping and I want people to think, if this old man can do it, why can’t
I? My age makes it risky but I want to show people not to give up and try their best.”
Hindu and Sikh Religious festival Vaisakhi is coming up on Tuesday, which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community, the Khalsa, in 1699.
‘The Skipping Sikh’ plans to celebrate Vaisakhi by doing a live skipalong session which will demonstrate his marathon training plan. Further details will be announced on his Twitter.
Mr Singh’s daughter Minreet said “My dad has had such an amazing response on social media.
“His health and faith is everything to him, he lives a simple life. To be able to do the London Marathon at his age is amazing.”
However she said she has had people contact her asking why her dad’s fundraising hasn’t had as much attention as those who are not of colour, like Captain Tom Moore.
To donate to ‘The Skipping Sikh’s’ fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/raj-singh8