The family and friends of the late Mrs Gurdial Kaur Bansal have raised over £3,000 in her memory to help Heartlands Hospital Charity to support the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.

Mrs Bansal passed away in 2018, and spent time being cared for on the Intensive Care Unit at Heartlands Hospital. The family, said: “Our mother received excellent care from all of the ITU staff, their kindness and caring nature was overwhelming during this very difficult time for all of us.”

Mrs Bansal was an integral part of The South Birmingham and Solihull Ladies Satsaang Group. The group perform Satsaang, a form of sung prayer within the Sikh religion, and raised money by performing for all occasions, including weddings.

Mrs Bansal handled the group’s finances and was also integral in securing the bookings for the group. The Satsaang Group commented: “The group grew in popularity over the years but didn’t charge a fee as the women all felt that spending time reciting the Guru’s word is an important part of Sikh life.”

Over the years the group raised and donated significant amounts of money for good causes across the word, including funding a water pump in India, sending blankets to Syria and clothes to Pakistan, as well as supporting a number of different charities in the UK.

In her memory, her friends at The South Birmingham and Solihull Ladies Satsaang Group, her friends and her family, decided to make donations to support the unit where she was treated. Mr Gurdial S Bansal said: “I would like to thank everyone who made a donation in my wife’s memory, we are delighted with the amount of money that we raised and I know that it will make a huge difference”.

Her family said: “Our mother/grandmother was a wonderful person, whoever she met became part of our family, it did not matter what faith or colour they were, all she saw was a member of our family or friend in them. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and friend and always wanted and did best by her family. She always put others needs above her own and made sure the family always had everything and never wanted anything in return for herself.

“Through her years she built up many relationships with people. Family and friends always knew she was only a phone call away if anyone needed any help or advice was required and she always had time to speak no matter the time of day. She loved cooking and feeding everyone who came to her house. Everyone who came over knew to meet her in the kitchen. She would not let you leave without having something to eat or at least a cup of tea.

“Her presence was so bright and loving, she had the largest heart. Her life revolved around her family and being kind to others. Her kindness and generosity were exemplified by her many donations throughout her life to charities which helped fund operations for the poor. She was wisdom, strength and love - all wrapped up in one extraordinary being who is irreplaceable.”

“I would like to thank everyone from the family, Guru Nanak Gurdwara South Birmingham, and of course The South Birmingham and Solihull Ladies Satsaang Group for their support.”

Sabrina Hussaine, Fundraising Officer at Heartlands Hospital Charity, said: “On behalf of everyone from the Intensive Care Unit at Heartlands Hospital I would like to thank everyone who has donated in memory of Mrs Bansal, she sounded like a wonderful person and this is a fitting legacy for her to leave behind.

“The money that has been donated will help us to do more to support patients and staff on the unit, providing the best care possible for those who need it.”

Please note that the photograph above was taken before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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