Rajinder Singh was 73 when the 2020 lockdown closed his local gurdwara in west London. The retired bus driver began filming skipping sessions in his allotment. His first YouTube video received 13,000 views.
Singh wanted older people to keep moving while they were cut off from their usual community. His daughter, journalist Minreet Kaur, helped him share the videos online.
His father taught him to skip
Singh grew up in Devidaspura in Punjab, India. His father taught him to run and skip when he was five.
More than six decades later, he returned to the rope during lockdown. The videos gave him a way to support older people outside his own home.
Nearly £15,000 for NHS charities
The videos also became a fundraiser. NHS Charities Together says Singh raised nearly £15,000 during 2020.
The UK Government awarded him an MBE for encouraging older people to stay active during lockdown.
His first London Marathon
Singh then prepared for his first marathon in 2021.
Mencap says he completed the London Marathon in October, the same month he turned 75. His run raised £5,090 for people with a learning disability.
Why KeepActive shares these stories
KeepActive's Inspiring People series tells the stories of everyday people of different ages, cultures and backgrounds. Their efforts inspire us, and we hope they encourage others to find their own way to get active.
Rajinder used skipping to support older people during lockdown and raise money for charity. That is why we wanted to share his story.
