Hina Anand, has raised more than £1000 in memory of her beloved mother, Madhuben Bhawsar by holding a three hour Facebook Live event where Hina sang prayers and Bollywood songs. The Facebook Live event has had over 1600 views.

The money that Hina raised will be donated to Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s (LPT) charity, Raising Health and will go specifically to the Bennion Centre where Madhuben was treated on and off for several years.  Madhuben was 80 when she passed away in April this year.

The Bennion Centre, based on the Glenfield Hospital site, has two wards that currently treat older patients with mental health illnesses.

Hina decided that she wanted to raise money for the Bennion Centre as her mother had received a lot of care from the staff on the Kirby Ward at the Bennion Centre.

Hina said:

“My mother, Madhuben Bhawsar, suffered with long term mental health issues and was periodically admitted to the Kirby Ward at the Bennion Centre. My mother received the best care possible by both doctors and nurses. They were compassionate and supportive.

“It is also very important to me to raise awareness of mental health within the Asian communities as many people are still aren’t aware of the impact that mental health can have on everyday life.

“Being in lockdown has made it harder to raise money but luckily we have technology that makes it possible. Hopefully I can raise a little bit more in the next few weeks.

Jeya Babudas, charge nurse at the Kirby Ward, Bennion Centre said on behalf of the whole ward:

“I am really thankful to Hina and entire family of late Mrs Bhawsar for their fundraising efforts. Hina, through her Facebook Live event, not only raised valuable funds for the mental health unit where Mrs Bhawsar was treated, but also helped dispel the stigma, ageist attitudes and misplaced beliefs about the incurability about mental illnesses in older adults.

“It’s extremely heartening to see that the family channelled their grief and extreme sadness into something so constructive.  Our heartfelt condolences to Mrs Bhawsar’s family.

To donate to Hina’s cause and the Bennion Centre, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Hina-Anand?