If 2026 has taught us anything so far, it’s that resilience in the third sector is no longer optional.
Charities are navigating one of the most demanding landscapes we’ve seen in years, global needs are growing and we are feeling increasing pressure on our limited resources.
In times like these, hope becomes more than an idea - it becomes a driving force. A reason to keep building, supporting, and showing up, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
Asian Voice spoke to Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL recently, on the focus his charitable Foundation has had on Leicester and Leicestershire – supporting organisations which truly inspire and bring hope – through their work, significantly improving and saving lives.
Knowing how Dr Kotecha and his wife Moni, set up their Foundation in 2017, We asked him to tell us more about what transpires in some far-reaching work – around the world, yes, but right here in Leicestershire too.
AV: It was 2017 when you set up your Foundation, The Randal Foundation – what drove the ambitious focus on Leicestershire?
Leicestershire is home for my family and I – so it was natural that it has been a real focus for our family Foundation. The people and communities of the county helped us in so many ways, when arriving as refugees in the county in 1972 from Uganda – and I’ve seen first-hand how organisations at the heart of the community step in, and step up – when people are in need.
Fast forward over 50+ years and having built my global pharmaceuticals business, Morningside Pharmaceuticals (MPL) here in Loughborough, I’ve built relationships with a host of third sector organisations - recognising the central role they play in our communities. Supporting many as partners alongside MPL, when we created our Foundation, the local priorities were in sharp focus for me. And some of the earliest grants we made were to local charities.
AV: We know you’ve got a strategy in place today for all your giving and you’ve always considered grants within themed areas – tell us about how that’s played out in Leicestershire?
Between 2019 and 2025, our Randal Foundation has supported a total of 36 organisations across the full range of our focus areas. These include 11 charities tackling mental ill-health, an area which has been a priority from the outset – and it remains so today.
Our ongoing partnership with the Curve Theatre on their Shine programme is a great example, supporting young people from 5 Leicester schools to access a programme of support. It’s centred on building life skills, restoring confidence and growing resilience.
Another key area for us, has been supporting charities helping those facing barriers in education, from the most disadvantaged backgrounds – and we’ve aided 8 organisations with projects to tackle this. Our flagship here in Leicester is our significant investment to enable the IntoUniversity centre at Beaumont Leys – helping young people aspire to higher and further education, opening doors for the future and raising achievement levels.
And there’s been a great need over time for providing healthcare for the vulnerable – the elderly, the terminally ill. And I’m proud of the work we’ve done supporting 9 local charities who play these crucial roles in our communities – making a difference and alleviating suffering every day. That’s included supporting Age UK in Leicester, and grant aiding linked projects during the pandemic, for instance providing thousands of meals for NHS workers. Thank goodness those days are behind us – but I’m proud of having been able to support our fantastic Leicestershire NHS at this time of great need.
Finally, tackling poverty and extreme hardship, helping to rehabilitate prisoners including female offenders and supporting organisations who step in to support women and children at risk of violence has been the focus for another 7 grants which we’ve made in the last few years. We’ve supported the Shama Women’s Centre whose incredible work, I believe saves lives and given grants to Loughborough College to help students overcome financial hardship.
AV: This is an exceptionally wide range of organisations to have supported, but are there any in particular that stand out for you, over time?
Well, I can honestly say that each one has been memorable, in terms of impact and the tangible difference made. What really stands out for me is that there are so many passionate people, determined to make a difference in our county too, very often unsung heroes and people getting on with the business of making lives better, making lives bearable, and helping others on the path to better lives.
It’s clear to me how much it means to those leading, guiding and working within community-led organisations and how deeply passionate they are about their causes.
And, of course, it means a great deal to those who need help, whether that’s providing a listening ear to those with worries, or a food bank to help feed a family. It might be a youth group to help steer young lives, or a befriending service, combatting loneliness and isolation.
And that combined effort, that shared and immense investment in our communities means so much for our society too. Leicester and Leicestershire’s communities are stronger, safer, cleaner, healthier and better cared for – because of so many people doing frankly incredible things. It’s been my privilege to get to know and support these charities.
AV: You’ve highlighted the areas of work that you’ve supported – what about the scale of organisations you partner with?
That’s a great question – and to coin a phrase – not all charities are created equal! There’s a well-known fact that a handful – the top 1% of about 170,000 registered charities in England and Wales, receive almost 70% of all the charitable donations people make.
Big charities with big marketing budgets can deliver memorable marketing campaigns – drawing in funds. Meantime, closer to home, there’s thousands of organisations delivering right at the heart of our communities, often relying on tiny incomes and volunteer time; but achieving so very much.
So, whilst we’ve supported some large charities, we’ve chosen to support grassroots organisations too. In fact, in 2025, we started work with a large number of Community Foundations as partners, including Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation – with whom we’ve supported 10 small charities, delivering extraordinary work right here in our county.
In 2025 we supported over 65 front line, grass roots charities throughout the Midlands in fact, and in 2026 we’ve increased that number again by working nationally – doubling the number of small charities we work with to over 130.
AV: So, having had a sustained focus on supporting some incredible causes in Leicester, what’s been achieved?
Well, having started out in my career as a scientist, evidence, impact and outcomes are key for me!
We’ve always asked all the organisations we give to, to help us understand the difference our grants make. And since starting our grant giving in 2019, I’m proud to say we’ve touched the lives of over 70,091 people in Leicestershire. Sometimes improving lives significantly, including our work with the Rainbow’s Hospice, and at other times, supporting charities like Leicester Blood Bikes who are directly saving lives.
We’ve seen potential in causes too that change ‘life-course’ – and by that, I mean open doors that might have seemed closed, allowing new directions to be considered. Great examples of these indirect, but potentially life transforming projects would include support for Warning Zone, equipping children with knowledge and skills that keeps them safe in our city; and support for the National Space Centre, in their fantastic STEM engagement work with young people.
And our policy changing work is key here too. In getting government attention and focus on matters as wide ranging as tackling addiction, reversing economic inactivity and spotlighting the plight of those facing loneliness and isolation, we’ve been the catalyst for national policy shifts and we’re working on more! We’re working now, for instance, to raise the profile of the need for action on suicide in men and boys – these are national programmes for policy change but they’ll benefit Leicestershire too.
AV: Finally, what would you say to businesses considering their own charitable giving or CSR?
I’d simply say look close to home, or close to your heart. Making a difference in your own community or in those things that mean the most to you, mean you connect closely with your charity partners. And I’d suggest you perhaps forge longer lasting relationships which can make greater impact – in what matters to you most.
