Well-wishers raise nearly £600K for two young girls left orphaned after their father was killed in Air India crash as he made his way home from scattering mother's ashes
Arjun Patoliya, 37, was heading home to the UK on the Gatwick-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner after visiting to hold a funeral for his late wife Bharti Patoliya, 43, who passed away from cancer just 18 days before the crash.
The loving husband made the trip with the sole purpose of fulfilling her final wish to scatter her ashes in her homeland in Gujarat and her floral urn submerged in a local holy river.
The Narmada River runs through the Amreli region and is a sacred river in Hinduism, ranked second in sanctity only after the Ganges. Millions of devout Hindus have their ashes placed in rivers because it purifies the soul and ensures spiritual liberation.
After carrying out this final wish, Mr Patoliya completed several funeral rites with relatives in his village around 150 miles from Ahmedabad and was set to return to London on Thursday to be with his two young daughters.
Tragically, he died after the doomed Air India flight AI-171 carrying 242 passengers, including 53 British nationals, crashed just moments after take-off.
The plane plunged into buildings in the densely populated Meghani area of the city just minutes after leaving the runway around 1.40pm local time (8.10am BST) on Thursday.
The couple have two daughters, aged four and eight, who stayed at home in the UK and are now mourning the deaths of both their parents in the space of just 18 days.
Inspired Elements Ltd, the British bespoke furniture company Mr Patoliya worked for, and his family have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the girls.
So far they have raised £574,454 which will provide them with 'a stable, nurturing home and safe environment, ensure continued access to education and emotional support, establish trusted long-term well-being care and build a future rooted in love, healing, and opportunity'.
All funds raised will go directly to a legal trust or the appointed guardians to ensure every penny is dedicated to the needs of the two girls.
The GoFundMe describes Mr Patoliya as 'a valued member of our team at Inspired Elements and also a close family friend for many years'.
Donations to the fundraiser can be made here.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner plunded into buildings in the densely populated Meghani area of the city just minutes after leaving the runway around 1.40pm local time (8.10am BST) on Thursday
Having already raised more than their £500,000 target, the company and family said yesterday in an update: 'We are deeply moved and overwhelmed by the generosity and support everyone has shown. The strength of collective support can bring real change and hope during the most challenging times.
'Arjun and Bharti's daughters are currently being cared for by loving family members who have been constant, supportive figures in their lives as their mother bravely battled cancer.
'All funds raised will be placed into a dedicated Trust, established solely for the girls' upbringing, education, and future needs. Ensuring strong governance and safeguarding their well-being will remain our utmost priority every step of the way.
'While no amount of financial support can ever replace the love and presence of their parents, every additional contribution will still make a meaningful difference in helping these two young girls face the long and challenging journey ahead.
'We thank you for all your support.'
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