The appeal launched by the British Malayali Charity Foundation (BMCF) to support 26-year-old Rankine Mathew from Kollam, who was left bedridden following a serious accident during his studies in the UK, is gaining strong momentum. Within just four days of its launch, a total of £8,269 has been raised through generous contributions.

Out of this amount, £6,180 was donated by 290 contributors via the KindLink platform, while £1,255 was received through bank transfers. In addition, £1,050 was added as Gift Aid from KindLink donations, bringing the total to £8,269.

Rankine arrived in the UK last September to pursue an MSc in Project Management at a London university. After months of searching, he secured a job at a warehouse dealing with dismantling and selling used cars, which helped him manage his living and study expenses. Just as life was beginning to stabilise, tragedy struck.

He suffered a severe accident at work, resulting in serious injuries to his spine and legs, leaving him bedridden. Due to prolonged hospitalisation, his studies have been interrupted.

To come to the UK, Rankine had taken a loan of approximately ₹15 lakh by mortgaging his family home and property. Unfortunately, there is no possibility of recovering the tuition fees already paid, and as his job was casual employment, he is not eligible for support from his employer.

Back home, his only dependents are his ailing parents. With his future in the UK now uncertain, urgent support is needed to help him return to India, continue rehabilitation treatment, and repay his debts.

The BMCF initiated this appeal with confidence in the compassion of the UK Malayali community, known for standing by those in need. Organisers are urging everyone to extend their support and help this young man rebuild his life.

The appeal is ongoing, and further contributions are warmly welcomed.

To support Rankie please click the link below:

https://www.kindlink.com/fundraising/British-Malayali-Charity-Foundation/rankinemathewappeal

The trustees of British Malayali Charity Foundation has decided to convene an AGM at 12 moon on Saturday 28th March 2026 at Bedford, England.

The AGM will discuss about the ongoing activities and the future course of actions. The general working report including the accounts will be submitted in the AGM.

The venue of the AGM at Addison Centre, Addison Howard Park, Bedford Road, Bedford, MK42 8PN . England.

Any members wishing to attend may please contact at [email protected] to confirm their attendance before AGM.

London: What began as a hopeful dream of a better life in the UK has turned into a devastating fight for survival for Saroja (41) and her husband Thadevoos (51) from Pulluvila, Thiruvananthapuram. Three years ago, they arrived on a visit visa after spending their life savings — trusting agents who falsely promised to convert it into a work permit. Since then, the couple has been living undocumented, surviving on cash-in-hand work and constant anxiety.

Recently, Saroja began suffering from severe abdominal and back pain. After multiple misdiagnoses and hospital visits, doctors at Newham Hospital delivered the heartbreaking news: she has an aggressive and rare form of sarcoma cancer. Her condition continues to worsen, leaving her in unbearable pain while her husband remains by her side, exhausted and emotionally shattered.

In this darkest moment, a ray of support emerged. The British Malayali Charity Foundation (BMCF), recognising their critical situation, has transferred £2,000 from its General Fund to help the couple. Because of their visa status, many charities had turned away — making BMCF’s support a crucial lifeline.

Friends have also launched a fundraising campaign to assist with urgent needs, as the couple faces an uncertain and frightening future. Married for 17 years with no children, they now rely solely on the compassion and solidarity of the community around them.

In a foreign land, far from home, they are fighting a battle they never imagined — but they are not alone.

UK Malayalees Raise £25,250 in Two Days to Repatriate Aneena’s Body and Support Grieving Family

Ilford, London: In a touching display of unity and compassion, the UK Malayalee community has raised £25,250 within just two days to help repatriate the body of Aneena — the young student who tragically passed away after sudden brain death — and to support her heartbroken family in Kerala.

Around 1,500 people came forward with generous contributions to ensure that Aneena is taken home with dignity. Her body is currently kept in the mortuary at King George Hospital, Ilford, while final formalities with the Indian Embassy are nearing completion.

Through the KindLink platform, £21,154 was raised, along with £3,370 received as Gift Aid. After deducting £634 as platform charges and adding £1,346 from the bank transfer plus £14 from the British Malayali Charity Foundation (BMCF) General Fund, the total reached £25,250.

Aneena, one of triplet daughters and a beacon of hope for her financially struggling family, had travelled to London after her parents took a ₹20 lakh loan, dreaming she would secure a career that could lift them out of hardship. She was pursuing a postgraduate programme in Sustainable Agriculture at Middlesex University, excelling in a rarely chosen field that promised strong future job prospects.

Those dreams were shattered when she collapsed and was rushed to King George Hospital last Thursday. Despite desperate prayers for her recovery, Saturday evening brought the devastating confirmation of her passing — a reality her family is still struggling to accept.

The community effort to support the family has been hailed as a remarkable act of love and solidarity, showing how UK Malayalees come together in moments of profound tragedy. For a family surviving on the father’s modest autorickshaw income back home, this assistance offers a lifeline amid unimaginable loss.

As arrangements progress to bring Aneena back to her homeland, her story has become a heartfelt reminder of the fragility of life — and the strength found in compassion.

Stoke-on-Trent: In an overwhelming display of compassion and unity, the UK Malayali community has come together to raise £18,650 for Divya Mathew, a nurse from Stoke-on-Trent who suffered a severe stroke that left her bedridden. What began as a one-day appeal that aimed to collect £10,000 exceeded all expectations, reflecting the deep generosity of the community.

A total of £13,815 was received through the KindLink platform, along with £2,562 in Gift Aid and £2,754 through direct bank transfers. After deducting £483 as KindLink’s processing fee, the remaining amount was topped up from the general fund, bringing the total to £18,650, which will be handed over to Divya.

Divya, who worked as a nurse at the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s Cancer Ward, suffered a stroke on August 15, 2024, which left one side of her body paralyzed. Since then, she has been wheelchair-bound and unable to work. Her NHS employer had to revoke her work permit, forcing her and her family to prepare for a return to India.

The situation has been particularly distressing as Divya’s family is already burdened with a home loan of around ₹30 lakhs in India, along with ongoing medical expenses. Her husband, Sinoj, works at a DHL warehouse but often has to miss work to care for Divya. The couple also has a son studying in Year 7.

As Divya has not been able to work for over a year, her sick pay ended earlier this year, and her Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) has also expired. Returning home for continued treatment is now their only option. Due to her condition, she will require three adjoining seats on the flight to accommodate her wheelchair needs, significantly increasing travel costs.

While the Indian Embassy’s intervention could help, procedural delays have made community support the quickest and most effective solution. Local organizations, including the Stoke Malayali Association (SMA), stepped in immediately to coordinate the appeal, ensuring that funds were raised within hours.

“Once again, the kindness of UK Malayalis has shone brightly,” said one of the coordinators. “When one among us suffers, everyone steps forward to help — that is the true spirit of our community.”

Divya and her family have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed. “Words can’t express how thankful we are. This support gives us hope as we begin the next chapter of our journey back home,” the family said.

At 42 years old, Divya remains hopeful that with continued treatment in India, she will regain strength and return to a normal life.

In the words of Dr. Muthukad himself, the event turned out to be a true “magical touch.” The charity walk titled “Walk with Muthukad – Change Lives through BMCF” commenced at 11:30 a.m. at Beacon Hill Park, Loughborough, flagged off by Deputy Mayor Councillor Hamilton.

Distinguished guests included Debbie Waxon, representative of Open Hands (a leading charity organisation in Loughborough), Dr. Gopinath Muthukad, and Shajans Scaria, founder chairman of BMCF. Manoj Mathew, BMCF Secretary, delivered the welcome address, while BMCF Chairman Sabu Chundakattil handed over a £1,000 donation to Open Hands representative Debbie Waxon, symbolising solidarity in community service.

Keralites from across the UK participated enthusiastically in the charity walk, which concluded around 1:00 p.m. Participants later gathered at Prajapathi Hall, where a delicious lunch was served by the Leicester Kerala Community’s catering service.

By 4:00 p.m., the hall was buzzing with excitement as more people arrived following the Diwali traffic delays. The crowd erupted in applause when it was announced that the initiative had raised ₹50 lakh (approx. £47,000) so far — a truly magical milestone.

During the official ceremony, top fundraisers and winners of the senior and junior walk categories were honoured. BMCF Chairman Sabu Chundakattil also introduced the trustees and advisory board members.

Senior Category Winners:

• Joseph Jacob (Peterborough) – £4,545

• Johnson Mani & Tessie Johnson – £3,370

• George Puthoor – £2,370

Junior Category Winners:

• Edwin Sabu (Manchester) – £1,330

• Gangotri Scaria – £1,319

• Shreya Koshy – £1,212

Special Mentions (Raised over £1,000):
Reji Thomas (£1,490), Shiju Chacko (£1,408), Lissy Unnikrishnan (£1,365), Sijimol Abraham (£1,340), Benny Paul (£1,195), Rashmi Prakash (£1,070), Abraham Lukose (£1,050), Libin, Daniel & Samuel Mathews (£1,040), Shinu Claire Mathews (£1,045), Jomon Mammootty (£1,025), Ajith & Annie Paliyet (£1,013), and Joy Shaju (£1,010).

The evening that followed was a blend of music, magic, and emotion. Dr. Gopinath Muthukad’s motivational talk deeply inspired the audience, while celebrated playback singers Athul Narukara and Swetha Asokh, along with violinist Vishnu Asokh, captivated everyone with their performances.

 The highlight of the evening was a heart-touching dance performance by Josuttan and Thomasutti, two talented differently-abled children, which received a standing ovation.

The event, part of BMCF’s M’Cube – Magic Moments of Muthukad, truly reflected the organisation’s commitment to spreading light through compassion, inclusion, and collective action.