BRI liaison officer lays foundation stone at overseas health centre
As construction work on the latest wing at the Bradford Royal Infirmary continues to progress smoothly, one hospital employee has been focused on developments at a different health centre – some 4,500 miles away.
Lucky Kaur, who works at the BRI as a liaison officer, has spent the last 20 years of her life helping to fundraise for a holistic haemophiliac centre for children in Pune, India.
Earlier this month, she was invited to the Maharashtra city to lay the foundation stone of the building, alongside stakeholders of the future centre.
Speaking of the ‘privilege’, Lucky said: “I have been working hard to raise money for the centre in India for a long time and have donated a lot of funds myself.
“The whole idea is to build a holistic approach haemophilia centre where children can be treated free of charge.
“The BRI are building another wing here in my home city, so I thought, why not see what I can do to help over there too? Why not give to charity?”
She added: “They gave me the honour to lay the foundation stone. I feel privileged and honoured to be in this position.”
Lucky’s affiliation with the Indian city began in the 1990’s after the Haematology Society of Maharashtra was twinned with the Bradford Haemophilia Centre at a meeting of the World Federation of Haemophilia in 1996.
The 63-year-old has been working hard to keep up the links, which the now-retired BRI consultant haematologist, Liakat Parapia, helped establish.
Between them, the duo have taken thousands of pounds worth of spare equipment and medication to haemophilia awareness camps and clinics in Pune over the past two decades.
Rather than discarding equipment from Bradford, it is reused in the Indian state to the benefit of numerous patients every year.
Lucky added: “Something that would go to waste here is valued so much over there. The BRI have been fantastic over the years in donating equipment and it has had a huge impact in India.
“It’s the same with anything over there. A pound goes a lot further and you can see how much we take for granted here. Children smile when they see water. It is a big thing for them.”
Lucky, who is the mother of TV presenter, Anita Rani, says it is only through the generosity of her friends, family and strangers that she has been able to complete the pioneering work she has accomplished.
“I believe it’s every citizen’s responsibility to contribute something to those in need, whether it’s through volunteering or raising funds. The people of Bradford have been really supportive of this project,” she added.
“Being a Sikh, we are told to share 10% of our wages with charity and you should always start with yourself. My family and friends have been very supportive.”
Even though a lot of time has passed since her first contact with the Haematology Society of Maharashtra, Lucky is determined to continue working on the project.
“I’m 63 now,” she said. “I feel this is my destiny. This is my purpose in life.
“We have all been put on this earth for some purpose and this is mine. The community helps, my friends help and together we have been able to do some amazing things.”
If you would like to make a donation to the Haemophiliac Centre call 01274 274809.
