Hindus In Golders Green Give Money, Food And Blood for Diwali

October 18, 2009

Author: Tristan Kirk

Source: Times

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/4689056.Hindus_in_Golders_Green_give_money__food__and_blood_for_Diwali/

A Hindu temple in Golders Green has celebrated Diwali this weekend by encouraging its members to give blood.

The Shree Swaminarayan Temple, in Finchley Road, opened its doors for the annual festival of light, in which Hindus are encouraged to give food and money.

However, this year, leaders decided the spirit of giving should extend further than food and money to help give blood supplies among ethnic minorities a welcome boost.

Prem Patel, spokesman for the temple, said: “Diwali is a time of giving, to society as well as to loved ones.

“Normally we have donations of money and food offerings, but this year we thought we would encourage everyone to give blood.

“We have hundreds if not thousands through these doors, and many have take up the service offered by the National Blood Service.”