Kind-hearted Kamlesh steps up for Bradford Hospitals Charity

A grateful patient has never forgotten the care he received at Bradford Teaching Hospitals half a century ago and is now saying a heartfelt thank you.

To celebrate his 50th birthday on 11 March, kind-hearted Kamlesh Mistry pledged to undertake a 12-hour walk to raise money for Bradford Royal Infirmary’s neonatal unit – and all because of the neonatal care he received as a baby.

His generous actions will boost funds for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity’s Big Neonatal Appeal, which will create extra accommodation for mums and dads to stay close to their babies.

Kamlesh, who has so far raised an amazing £1,585 for Bradford’s neonatal unit said: “I was born two months prematurely and spent five weeks in an incubator being cared for by staff at what was then the St Luke’s Hospital baby unit. I owe my life to the people there and am so appreciative for all the staff who looked after me. The staff were also amazing supporting my mum, Bhikhi Ben during that time.

“I decided I would do a special 12 hour walk to celebrate my 50th birthday earlier this year and ask my family to join me. I am also walking 80 plus miles each month just to raise as much money as possible for the neonatal appeal as this is such a good cause; neonatal units help both babies and their families.”

Bradford-born Kamlesh, an engineer, now lives in Portsmouth with his wife, Beejal and has also been supporting his local neonatal unit at Portsmouth Hospital’s University Trust, where the couple’s two daughters, Karishma, now 17 and Parina, now 14, were born. He has raised a staggering £1,803 for Portsmouth.

“Both Bradford and Portsmouth units will always have a special place in my heart especially since the birth of my own children. I think becoming a parent makes you realise the amazing job nurses and midwives do to bring babies safely into the world and to care for them when they are sick,” he said.

Kamlesh is now aiming to bring each of his fundraising totals for Bradford and Portsmouth to £2,000 and is appealing for sponsorship as he continues with his walking with a new step challenge – he is aiming to complete 11,000 steps per day.

He has pledged to match every donation up to the value of £250.

“I would be so appreciative if people could sponsor me and donate as much as they can over the coming year; even just giving a pound a month will make a vast difference. Please help me raise as much as I can by inviting your family and friends to help too. These are both such wonderful causes.

Bradford Hospitals’ Charity Director, Sharon Milner said: “What an inspiring story, and to think that Bradford still means so much to Kamlesh despite moving to Portsmouth. We are very grateful and wish Kamlesh all the very best with his fundraising efforts. Keep up the great work!”

Sponsor Kamlesh here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kamlesh-mistrybabyunitfund2

Read more about Bradford Hospitals’ Charity’s Big Neonatal Appeal here: https://bradfordhospitalscharity.org/big-neonatal-appeal/

To find out more about Bradford Hospitals’ Charity and how you can support your local hospitals, visit www.bradfordhospitalscharity.org. Alternatively, contact Hayley Collis or Elaine Drake on 01274 274809 or email [email protected]

Kamlesh and his wife Beejal