A Hindu temple in Golders Green is encouraging people to don their running shoes in the name of charity.

The Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Finchley Road, has arranged to host a Sainsbury's Sport Relief run on Sunday, March 16.

It will be the only event in north west London, and will give residents from across the area the chance to run for one, three, or six miles and raise money for the charity.

In 2007, nearly half a million people ran a mile for Sport Relief, and this is not the first time the temple has tried to get the community together to support charitable causes.

Hundreds of participant from the temple's congregation took part in the British 10k Run in 2006 with sponsorship monies supporting the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity.

Muks Rabadia, who is helping to arrange the event, said: "It is a fun way to raise money and it doesn't take much effort to run a mile.

"It's quick and easy, and within an hour, you could have raised £100 pounds for charity."

The temple will also be hosting a range of musical and cultural entertainment, and roads in the area are being closed to allow people to enjoy the whole event.

Mr Rabadia added: "Even if people aren't running, they can come along to the temple and enjoy all the other festivities."

Runners have until Wednesday to register to ensure the entry pack will be sent to their home. People can register after that, and on the day, but will have to pick up their packs from the temple on Sunday.

For further information and to sign up, visit the Temple's website www.swaminarayangadi.com/london or the Sports Relief pages at http://www.sportrelief.com/node/689.