The Gift of Hope

The 29th of March will always be special day for me and many others. Today marks the first anniversary of the passing of my dad, Ramesh Hirji Shah, one of the many victims of the Coronavirus pandemic. Like many of you reading this thinking about the death of a loved one is a bittersweet experience.  

The thing I miss most is our weekly time together. Every Sunday at 8.30am he’d turn up with a huge grin as he teased his grandchildren. We’d take the dog for a walk and discuss everything. He had made this my time, a couple of hours where he would listen and help. Dad was like that for anyone who asked.  

It has been no surprise that since his passing so many people have reached out to me and my family to share how Ramesh was their “go-to” person whenever they needed help or advice. Of course, that was dad all over, taking the time for those in need.   

The impact he made during his lifetime cannot be underestimated. Whilst there are so many stories of what he has done for charities, families, the community and the environment, his enduring legacy will be his love and compassion for children. His philosophy was simple. Give children a chance through education. This resolve inspired him to create the Gift of Hope Trust. Over the years he cajoled his network to sponsor the charity and through the trust he sponsored the building of schools that now provide education for over 4,500 of the poorest children in India.  

It is now our mission to take on his mantle, grow the charity and ensure that his legacy of giving children hope through education is continued. 

So, on this first anniversary, I invite you to join us as we continue to build on my dad’s life’s work. We rely on you all as a network to help us not only celebrate his life but continue his ethos to give the gift of education to those whom it is not automatically granted. Help us properly relaunch The Gift of Hope Trust.

https://gohtrust.com/