A Leicester mother’s determination to celebrate culture while giving back to the community has resulted in a remarkable £3,000 being raised for the diabetes charity Silver Star.
During this September’s Navratri celebrations at Avanti Fields School, Bijal Kotecha — founder of the newly launched Bij Promotions — organised a special raffle that far exceeded anything she imagined.
“I think I had a hope of £700–£800, so it exceeded all my expectations,” she said. “I was so overwhelmed.”
Picture credit: Bij Promotions
Every penny raised has been donated to Silver Star Diabetes, a charity that operates mobile diabetes testing buses across the UK. The funds will support the charity’s goal of adding a fifth bus, enabling even more people to access vital on-the-spot health checks.
For Bijal, the choice was deeply personal.
Over the past three years she herself became diabetic, and the diagnosis came from a routine check at one of Silver Star’s mobile vans during a mela.
“I’ll be honest, I was one of these people who didn’t take things seriously,” she admitted. “Family members have all had diabetes as well—my dad, my mum, my uncles. When it hit home, it was a bit like ‘wow’. I never thought I’d be diabetic.”
She credits former MP Keith Vaz and the Silver Star team for helping her understand the seriousness of the condition. “Mr Vaz (founder of the charity) made me aware of how important it was. If I hadn’t had that check on the diabetes van, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up.”
The Navratri festival held at Avanti Fields was a first for Bij Promotions. Hosting it at the school felt natural, she said, as her own children attend there.
“I wanted to do this festival just to keep our culture going with the younger generation and the community. That’s why my tickets were at very low cost — everything raised went to charity.”
The event drew an astonishing turnout, with 800 children attending.
Picture credit: Bij Promotions
“The majority of sales came from the schools. Seeing all the kids there made me so proud — it filled my heart.”
Bijal received strong backing from local community figures and businesses, particularly along Leicester’s iconic Belgrave Road.
Raffle prizes included a £900 outfit from Vivah Fashion and a men’s outfit worth £450, a signed cricket bat gifted by Keith Vaz, signed by India players and restaurant vouchers from Chatwala and Bobby’s
“These were some really lovely things,” she said. “The support was unbelievable.”
The success of the raffle marks a powerful beginning for Bij Promotions, and Bijal hopes it will become the first of many cultural and charitable initiatives.
“My aim was to make our culture known and keep it alive for the younger generation. It’s very easily drifted away,” she said. “This was my first charity event, but it definitely won’t be my last.”
For more information about Silver Star, visit: https://silverstaruk.org/
