Two sisters who have given more than £1.5 million of surplus stock and other goods from businesses to a total of 150,000 people since setting up their charity eight years ago have been awarded a £3,000 Leicestershire First Award.
Rama and Sujata Bhalla have won the first ever Leicestershire First Leadership Award after enlisting the support of more than 100 businesses in the county and beyond to support their charity Konnect9 Worldwide. They have now launched an online version of the charity: www.givingworldonline.com
Both charities take new, good quality surplus goods from UK businesses, preventing them going to landfill, and give them to disadvantaged people and community and voluntary groups in Leicestershire and beyond.
The items range from spare paper from Leicestershire printers to significant amounts of furniture. Most is used locally in the East Midlands but some has gone to needy people overseas. They have sent furniture to hospitals in India and Armenia and sent 60 computers to disabled children in Bulgaria. The goods include large amounts of medical equipment which helps save lives. And there are lighter moments too; the charity's warehouse currently contains a piano looking for a home. And the sisters have also literally seen a kitchen sink pass through their hands.
They collect personal care items to put in packs given to hospital patients who might have no relatives or friends who can bring in to them items such as toothbrushes and toiletries, or for people who can’t afford to buy them. About 600 ‘dignity packs’ are provided free each month to patients in Leicestershire hospitals. Half of the recipients live alone, and almost half are over 60.
Rama and Sujata, who both live in Leicester, have displayed great vision and leadership in helping so many businesses do so much good for so many people, said Leicestershire First trustee Maurice Thompson. He said: “This is an inspiring tale where everyone wins thanks to these two sisters’ vision and leadership. There is less landfill, less waste, businesses are enabled to do good deeds and those in need get invaluable help. We congratulate Rama and Sujata and wish them every future success.”
Rama Bhalla said: “We are very pleased to have won this award, which will help us to help more businesses to put their surplus goods to use helping people in need. It is nice to get a Leicestershire First Award because we so enjoy being based in Leicester, in what is such a caring county. ”
The sisters were nominated by the former Leicestershire Constabulary Deputy Chief Constable David Lindley, who praised their “quiet but genuinely inspiring leadership”. He said: “I’ve been most impressed by their very practical approach to meeting the needs of those less fortunate. This is truly citizenship being played out on the local and international stage.”
Now the sisters, who both gave up their careers to run and grow the charity, have embarked on a new challenge. They have launched a new web-based charity which brings together businesses with surplus goods and the charities which can put those items to good use. The new charity – www.givingworldonline.com – seeks to fight poverty and protect the planet by linking businesses with goods they can’t use with charities and people in need, without the goods having to pass through Rama and Sujata’s hands in Leicester. So far 200 charities and businesses have signed up, posting online what they need or what they have to give.
Rama said: “There is so much business surplus out there that goes to landfill or is destroyed, and people need it. Even a box of paper is valuable to people who can’t afford the £10 or so it costs. So we thought if only there was a way we could extend our reach somehow.”
The sisters have decided to donate their £3,000 prize from Leicestershire First to Giving World Online. Both of Rama and Sujata’s charities rely on donations to pay for their running costs such as transport. They have built a workforce of around a dozen volunteers, ranging from teenagers up to a 73-year-old, who help sort and pack the donations.
Highly commended for the Leicestershire First Leadership Award is David Palmer, of Blaby. David has worked for Blaby & Whetstone Boys Club for 26 years. A member of the club since his 10th birthday, David ensures the club is a safe and secure base for young people of all ages to enjoy.
Rama and Sujata were presented with their Leicestershire First Award by Martin Traynor, Chief Executive of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce. Leicestershire First was launched in June 2008 at County Hall by Maurice and Vivien Thompson, to encourage and celebrate giving and citizenship. Each year nine awards will be given to reward and promote the values of leadership, excellence and citizenship in the county. For each prize the money must be donated to Leicestershire charities.
Nominations for two upcoming Leicestershire First Awards – for Courage and for Achievement in Arts and Music – can be made now. For details of how to nominate, call Leicestershire First on 0116 249 5330 or visit the website www.leicestershirefirst.org.uk