Fundraising for Rijo Paul Appeal

Dear Friends, With deep sorrow and a heavy heart, the British Malayali Charity Foundation (BMCF) reaches out to you seeking compassionate support for a grieving family facing an unexpected and devastating tragedy. Late Mr. Rijo Paul Nalkara, aged 45, from Peechanikkad, Karukutty, Angamaly, was one among thousands of post-COVID migrants who came to the UK carrying dreams of a safer and more secure future for his family. When his small business in Kerala collapsed during the pandemic, Rijo sold whatever little remained and paid nearly 20 lakhs rupees to a visa agent. Trusting the promise of employment, he travelled to the UK with his wife and four young children, believing that their hardships were finally behind them. Instead, the family was cruelly deceived. The promised job did not exist. Stranded in an unfamiliar country, with no income and no support, Rijo soon realised that they had fallen victim to fraud. After months of fear, uncertainty, and emotional distress, help finally came through friends in Stoke-on-Trent, where Rijo secured a legitimate job in a nursing home. Slowly, life began to stabilise, and hope cautiously returned. Tragically, just as the family began to breathe again, fate struck mercilessly. Rijo was suddenly taken away by a cardiac arrest. In a single moment, a loving husband and devoted father was gone forever. He leaves behind his wife Rani and four children aged 14, 12, 7, and just 3 years old. When we visited their home, Rani stood overwhelmed by shock and grief, unsure how to guide her children through a loss so sudden and painful. The children are traumatised, struggling to understand a future without their father. Rani works part-time at a nearby care home, but her income is far from sufficient to meet even basic needs. The family is burdened with a debt of nearly 20 lakhs rupees in India and owns no land or assets. Due to severe financial hardship, even decisions regarding funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised. Rijo’s elderly mother and younger brother remain in India, mourning helplessly from afar. At present, all immediate support is being provided by their cousin Baiju in Stoke-on-Trent. Malayali organisations and community members across Stoke-on-Trent have come together with one voice, appealing for urgent help for this family. BMCF firmly believes that this family is genuinely deserving of our care and compassion. We humbly request you to extend your support to help meet immediate living expenses, funeral-related costs, debt relief, and the basic needs and education of four innocent children. Every contribution, no matter how small, can bring comfort, dignity, and hope to a family standing at the edge of despair. Let us come together as a community and ensure that Rijo Paul’s family is not left alone in their darkest hour. If you are a UK taxpayer, please consider ticking the Gift Aid box when making your donation. This allows the British Malayali Charity Foundation (BMCF) to claim an additional 25p for every £1 you donate, at no extra cost to you, helping us provide even greater support to this grieving family. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.