A Leicester businesswoman has raised £100,000 in memory of her beloved husband, who was one of the first people in Leicester to pass away from covid.
With the help of all her retail friends and family, Sunita Aggarwal has been fundraising for the past three years in memory of her husband Raj, Setting up a national campaign called ‘Do As Raj Would Do’ to pay tribute to his giving nature.
Raj was a respected businessman, running Spars stores in Wigston and Sheffield as well as coffee shops in Market Harborough and Coalville. He was known for his generosity and charity work, and in the weeks before his death, had been risking his life to help customers and donate to local hospitals.
Sadly, he was one of the first people in Leicester to pass away from covid. To commemorate his death, Sunita set an ambitious target to raise £100,000 for Leicester Hospitals Charity and Sheffield Hospitals Charity as a result of the Aggarwal family’s links in both cities.
Through various events, activities, and golf days Sunita has continued to fundraise for both charities.
“Raj made me proud through his helping others. I want to keep that giving legacy going and I want to make him proud of me,” she said.
“The campaign brings together Raj’s family, friends and business network to ‘Do As Raj Would Do’ which is to enjoy life and enjoy a fun day together whilst making a real difference to others.”
Both Raj and Sunita helped previously raise funds for Leicester Children’s Hospital, helping to complete the first phase of a state-of-the-art standalone children’s hospital in the East Midlands.
As part of a lasting legacy, a room within the children’s hospital was named in honour of Raj and Sunita’s father-in-law. Family was hugely important to Raj, and so it was fitting that the first donation made in his name went to fund the Kishan & Raj Aggarwal Room in the Cardiac Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the children’s hospital.
The second project that has benefited from the funds raised is the well-being garden at the Sheffield Northern General Hospital.
Lisa Davies, Director of Leicester Hospitals Charity said: “We’re so proud of the continued support of Sunita, her and Raj’s family and friends. They have continued Raj’s legacy by raising money that will directly help the care of the local communities of Leicester and Sheffield.
“The spirit and generosity that Sunita has shown is remarkable and we were so pleased to have helped support the golf day and reach the fantastic fundraising target.”
