Lymington postmaster Parimal Bhatt rallies 1,000 walkers for London Twilight charity fundraiser

A LYMINGTON postmaster is rallying 1,000 fundraisers to join him as he steps out on a major charity walk in memory of his nephew.

Parimal Bhatt and his family are participating in The London Twilight Walk with The Brain Tumour Charity, asking people to join their fundraising for research into the condition that claimed Khushil Pandya aged just 14.

Khushil, from Harrow, sadly died in 2021. This is the third year the family has been fundraising for The Khushil Pandya Fund, which also supports families of children affected by brain tumours, including the rare and aggressive tumour DIPG – Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma – that killed Khushil.

The walk, with the choice of 5k and 10k routes, will take place on 22nd March, setting off from Marylebone and passing iconic landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.

Parimal, who is also postmaster for Palmers Green in Hounslow and Ladywell Road in Lewisham, has already recruited more than 700 walkers in his quest to form a 1,000-strong team.

He is asking customers, staff at the London head office of the Post Office – which has promised matched funding up to £800 – and other post offices and well-wishers to join the fundraising.

Parimal said: “Khushil was brilliant academically in every subject. He completed his Duke of Edinburgh bronze award in a wheelchair, completing every single task before the time scales given. His mental strength was so compelling it inspired everyone he knew – a great combination of strength and softness.

“We want to raise as much money as possible to fund research to try to spare other families from the loss of a child from a brain tumour, and to support those families facing this ordeal.”

Supporters can sign up for the walk via Eventbrite. The Khushil fund is asking walkers to commit to raising £100 for research and information packs for those newly diagnosed.