Ian Jindal

Sonia was a Year 1 teacher at Columbia Primary School and she taught one of my daughters, Manon, last year. Past tense, because last year Sonia suffered a very severe stroke that has left her paralysed and totally dependent upon 24 hour care.

Under the care of the NHS she’s made progress and can now breath unaided but further progress is deemed unlikely.

Sonia’s mother is adapting the large garage next to her home in order to be able to care for Sonia in an adapted, accessible and homely space. However, since Sonia lived in Tower Hamlets and her mother doesn’t, there’s a “debate” as to who will pay for the costs of adapting the garage into an accessible home for Sonia.

While I’m sure that the funding will be resolved in the fulness of time, ‘time’ is one thing that neither Sonia nor her mum have as a luxury. Sonia’s leaving hospital this spring and so family, friends and the staff at Columbia Primary School are raising money to pay for the adaptation.

Why am I involved?

As you’ll know, I generally don’t do public fundraising: giving is a private matter. However, two things – over and above sympathy for Sonia and her family – have compelled me to act.

The first is that even though I only knew Sonia in passing, I live with the positive impact she had and continues to have on my daughter. Under her care – above and beyond basic “teaching” – Manon blossomed. She grew in confidence, found school fun and was ever-keen to contribute. Sonia’s absence along with the reasons for it had a profound impact on Manon and she is keen to “do something” to help.

The second thing is that we want to look outside the school community for fundraising. Parents, teachers and friends contribute throughout the year to make Columbia Primary School the best we’re able to, and Sonia would be mortified to think that helping her would in any way detract from school giving.

So – here comes the cunning plan!

Raising money – my plan

Speaking is part of my business. I take it seriously and I charge accordingly.

Occasionally, I will speak at an event, or chair a conference, free of charge. However, I will no longer speak “free of charge”, chair events or do any ‘freebies’ UNLESS there’s a donation made towards our target of raising £10,000 towards the conversion of Sonia’s new home.

There’s no minimum amount. Pay what you’re able and inclined to do.

Donations are via PayPal’s “Donation” button or by cheque to me. I will record donations on this page.

Note to headhunters and recruiters…

Also, if you’re a headhunter ringing me to ask about possible candidates for a role, or wanting to pick my brain on ‘the industry’… you are of course very, very welcome to call. However, please don’t call until the end of July UNLESS you’ve made a PayPal donation, however small. Put your mobile and company as part of the donation details and I’ll call you. Yes, I will!

Thank you for your understanding and also for your assistance in raising money for this direct assistance.

A table of donors and their donations to date.

With thanks for speaking at their eCommerce Lunch on 2 March. Slides of which are on slideshare:://www.slideshare.net/ikj/ps101-bazaarvoice-century	£500
With thanks for speaking at their Multichannel Retail Conference on 12 May, 2010.	£500
Transactis, for speaking at their multichannel event	£500
Individuals – generous, spontaneous donations from friends, business acquaintances and friends of friends. Thank you all – your generosity has lifted our hearts.	£375
Efficient Frontier, for speaking at a breakfast briefing	£300
iCrossing for contributing to a lovely industry dinner	£250
Avail for speaking at their European Merchandising Forum	£500
Efficient Frontier, for speaking at a breakfast briefing in November 2011	£300