16 Jan 2017
A year ago London’s Air Ambulance helped save Sonal Shah’s life. One year on and Sonal is raising vital funds to ensure this help continues to reach as many Londoners as possible.
When Sonal was hit by a car just five minutes from home she received treatment from the London Ambulance Service, London’s Air Ambulance and the Royal London Hospital for a head wound, fractures in her lower back, a dislocated hip and a broken ankle. Her injuries left her temporarily wheelchair bound and missing her independence.
Sonal’s family and friends played an important role during this tough time and now they have become the centre of an incredible fundraising effort.
In 2015, Sonal formed the group ‘Little Steps of Hope’ with her mum, four sisters and extended family to help support charities close to their hearts. In June 2016, the group organised a family fun day to raise funds for London’s Air Ambulance and the Little Faces School in Kenya, bringing their local community together to enjoy activities including an egg and spoon race, tug of war, musical chairs and bingo.
Around 150 people of all ages took part on the day. Together they raised an amazing £3800 through donations, a raffle and ticket sales for the event, with London’s Air Ambulance and Little Faces School in Kenya receiving £1650 each.
In addition, Hogan Lovells, an international law firm who are a partner of London’s Air Ambulance, donated a further £3331.50 directly to our charity. Logistics company DHL also donated £300 each to London's Air Ambulance and Little Faces School.
Speaking about her motivation for arranging the family fun day, Sonal said: “An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves.”
All of us at London’s Air Ambulance are extremely grateful for the dedication Sonal continues to show to our charity. The funds she has raised will help deliver our advanced trauma team to the 10 million people who live, work and travel through the capital every day.
