Thank you to all who helped make our craft stall a success

‘On 22nd November 2025, we hosted a craft stall and were delighted to raise £389 for the fund. We extend our sincere thanks to St Philip’s Church, Dorridge for generously offering us a complimentary table. We are also grateful to Pam and Jeff Roberts for their beautiful wood-turned creations, and to everyone who donated handmade crafts or supported us by making a purchase. A special thank you goes to Margaret Blake and Penny Parker, whose exceptional help and support both throughout the year and in the preparation for this event and on the day itself made a real difference’.

‘Christmas happiness in their hearts’

Dornakal Fund for the Needy held its celebration event for all beneficiaries in the Cathedral compound on 20th December 2024. It was attended by The Bishop Thandrigaru, The Rt. Rev. Dr. K. Padma Rao Garu, Bishop Thalligaru and local pastors.

Breakfast with tea was served in the morning then everyone gathered for a Christmas service with hymns, readings and a Christmas message

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Bishop Thalligaru distributed cards and gifts of new clothing which included either a saree with a blouse or dothi with a shirt.

The day was a real celebration and everyone expressed their joy and heartfelt thanks to God and the fund for their love and concern. It finished with a delicious meal of fried rice and chicken curry with curds and everyone had ‘Christmas happiness in their hearts’.

Craft Stall Success

Thank you to St. Philips Church Dorridge for allowing us a complimentary table at their Christmas 2024 event. We had a craft stall and raised a total of £334 which would not have been possible without generous donations of materials and finished handmade items gifted for sale. We want to give a special mention to Pam and Jeff Roberts whose wood turning items raised £148 and to Margaret Blake whose continued support of the fund has been invaluable.

Quiz Night in aid of Dornakal Fund

We would like to express our thanks to Sylvia Gardiner who organised a quiz night at the Shirley Institute on 19th October 2024 and to Joy and Andrew Sayer for producing and hosting the evening. 

Thank you to all those who attended and supported the event, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and a total of £538 was raised for the fund which will make a big difference to the lives of our beneficiaries out in Dornakal.

A message from Dornakal

‘We are sorry to know Mrs Kitty Grundy had slept in the Lord recently. She was a good and kind person towards the widows’ project. We thank God for her good fruitful life and we are grateful for her tireless services towards the widows’ project. She was the kind secretary for the widows’ project for many years from St. Philip’s Church Dorridge. On behalf of all the dear widows and widowers and from my Aunty and family members we extend our deepest condolences to her family members. May God grant them peace and comfort. We are praying for you all, please pray for us. With lots of love, yours in his service Anil Krupaker’

Sad news

Mrs Kitty Gundy, a great supporter of Dornakal Fund for the Needy since shortly after its inception sadly died on 8th January 2024.

Kitty acted as secretary for the fund in the UK for many years, she gave her time, energy and financial support, communicated regularly with Kantha and also hosted a past Bishop and his daughter at her home some years ago. Up until recently Kitty also wrote and sent individual Christmas cards to each of the beneficiaries.  Kitty will be greatly missed by many including those in Dornakal and we send our condolences to Alison, all her family and friends.

Christmas Celebrations in Dornakal

Miss G. Kantha and Anil Krupakar have said what a beautiful day they all had at the funds Christmas celebration held on 20th December 2023. The day started with breakfast and tea served to the beneficiaries followed by a service with prayers, singing and a Christmas message; Dornakal diocese Bishop Thandrigaru, Bishop Thalligaru and local pastors were in attendance.


Christmas gifts of a new blanket were given to all beneficiaries and each widow had a Saree with blouse piece, the widowers had a shirt and pant piece. A meal of fried rice, chicken curry and Dalcha (Indian lentil-based stew) with curds was then thoroughly enjoyed.
The beneficiaries ‘send their heartfelt thanks to you all for your love, great concern and kind support.’

The beneficiaries ‘send their heartfelt thanks to you all for your love, great concern and kind support.’

Fund raising successes 2023/4

An enjoyable evening was had on 19th May at Kingswood Chapel when a Fashion Show and raffle raised over £500 for the Dornakal Fund for the Needy. Thanks to Christina Hawkes who organised the event.

An Open Garden with book and plant sale and bring and buy was held at the home of DFN trustee Janet Powell in May raising over £600 for the Fund. We were so blessed that the sun was shining, it was a beautiful day!

Thanks to Sylvia Gardiner, a DFN supporter and donor who raised £200 for the fund by selling geranium plants in 2023 and in 2024 again produced geraniums which were purchased by King Edwards School, Birmingham for £400.

News from Dornakal

The 2022 Christmas Party was held on 18th December. Gifts chosen by Kantha and Anil and funded by the charity were given to the beneficiaries by the bishop and his wife. They included clothing of a Saree and blouse piece for the widows and a shirt with pant piece or Dhoti for the Widowers, each also received a woollen blanket. A meal of fried rice, chicken curry and Dalcha (lentil based stew) with curds was served and a sweet followed. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the special event.

The widows and some of their young relatives enjoyed chicken curry.

Bishop Thandrigaru Rt. Rev. Padma Rao Kodirekka and his wife, local pastors and Dr Divya Garu from the local hospital attended the meal.

The widows and widowers received gifts of clothing and a blanket.