Friend hopes to give Dinesh a boost setting up fund-raiser

DISABLED MAN WITH POTENTIAL £12K BILL FOR NEW FLOOR LIFT

AN old friend of a disabled man who was left with a broken floor lift has set up a fund-raiser in a bid to help his pal.

Hitesh Pujara, 53, heard of Dinesh Daya’s plight when his story was shared in the Mercury.

Dinesh, who has muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair, had a lift fitted by the city council in 2006 so he could use both floors of his home.

However, the lift became faulty and Dinesh claimed that despite attempts to get Leicester City Council to fix it, nothing was done.

He took matters into his own hands when he borrowed money from friends and family to fund an extension that would create more amenities for him downstairs.

But he was then told access to the second floor of his home was classed non-essential, as he had access to another bathroom due to the extension.

He was also no longer eligible for means-tested financial support that would have allowed the council to replace the lift, leaving Dinesh with a potential bill of £12,000 to install a new one.

Now, Hitesh, from Oadby, who is a trustee of Pujara Charitable Foundation and an old friend of Dinesh, has started a Go Fund Me page in the hopes of raising enough money for Dinesh to reinstall a floor lift.

“I have known Dinesh a long time and I just wanted to help,” Hitesh said.

“Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Pujara Charitable Foundation held an annual dinner and dance, from which it raised funds for local causes.

“Dinesh has always supported the foundation no matter what. He always said he would be there and he always was.

“His position is not an easy one to be in to have to pay such a large amount. I really feel for him.”

Dinesh used to work at the New Walk centre car park, where Hitesh, who also previously worked for Leicester City Council, said he did many favours for those who used it.

“A lot of people have had favours from Dinesh, now it’s time to help him out,” he said.

With a goal of £10,001, the Pujara Charitable Foundation kickstarted the fund-raiser with a donation of £101 and intends to donate a further £400.

In a plea to the public on the Go Fund Me page, Hitesh wrote: “I have seen him at work and can confirm he was truly helpful and the majority of the council staff will have come to him at some stage during their visit to New Walk Centre.” So far, almost £600 has been raised. Dinesh said: “It’s been quite encouraging. I was feeling low but now I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

The 68-year-old, who lives with his wife, said having no access to the second floor of his home would mean the couple would have to live separately in the same house.

But seeing the initial response to the crowdfunding campaign has given him “hope” that he will soon be able to replace the broken floor lift and live comfortably in his home. You can help Dinesh by donating at:

A lot of people have had favours from Dinesh, now it’s time to help him out

Friend, Hitesh Pujara