The Indian community in London is coming together to raise funds to support the families affected by the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. This tragedy has particularly impacted two young girls who have lost both their parents. Arjun Patoliya, one of the 241 victims, had traveled to India to fulfill his late wife Bharti’s wish to scatter her ashes. The couple’s daughters, aged four and eight, are now left orphaned.
To help the girls, friends and family have initiated a GoFundMe campaign, which has already raised over half of their £500,000 goal. Vinod Khimji, a friend and colleague of Arjun at Inspired Elements, shared the heartbreaking situation: “In just 18 days, these two sisters have experienced an unimaginable loss. Arjun went on a journey to say goodbye to his wife but never returned. Our aim with this fundraiser is to provide support and care for the girls as they navigate this tough period.”
The funds raised will be placed in a trust to ensure the girls’ education and emotional wellbeing. A similar effort is also underway for Abdhi Patel from Northampton, who leaves behind her husband and their eight-year-old son. Friends have already raised nearly £2,000 to help with funeral costs and support for the family.
Another family struck by this tragedy is Akeel, Hannaa, and their daughter Sara, who were flying back to England from a family visit when the plane crashed. The local Muslim community in Gloucester has raised over £1,000 to support their family. A local fundraiser described them as “pillars of the community,” with Akeel being an entrepreneur and Hannaa a devoted midwife.
Community leaders across the UK are organizing events to remember the victims. In a statement, a group of community organizations emphasized the need for unity during this difficult time, expressing their condolences and gratitude to the rescue workers.
Catherine West, the UK’s Foreign Office minister for the Indo-Pacific, paid tribute at a memorial in London, saying, “My thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy. We are doing everything we can to assist those who have reached out to us.”
The plane, which was headed for London, tragically crashed shortly after taking off, leading to a rise in the reported death toll, which now stands at 270.
