Some people leave such a powerful mark on the world that their kindness, warmth and love continue to shine long after they are gone.
Sunny and Monali (“Mini”) Patel were those kind of people.
To everyone who knew them, they were more than just a couple — they were a partnership filled with laughter, compassion and unwavering devotion. Friends describe them as “a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love,” the type of people who lit up every room they entered and made others feel instantly welcome.
In June 2025, tragedy struck when Sunny and Mini lost their lives in the devastating Air India Flight AI171 crash while travelling home to London from India. Their passing left family, friends and their wider community heartbroken.
But from unimaginable grief came something extraordinary.
In honour of Sunny and Mini, their loved ones organised a fundraising walk to support The Fertility Foundation, raising more than £8,000 to help others facing infertility and the financial barriers of IVF treatment.
The cause was deeply personal to Sunny and Mini, who had been on their own IVF journey and understood first-hand the emotional and financial challenges fertility treatment can bring.
Their family shared these beautiful words during the fundraiser:
“This walk is more than just steps for us – it’s a promise. A promise to carry their memory forward, to turn heartbreak into hope, and to share their story so that others feel less alone.”
That promise has now become a lasting legacy through the creation of the Sunny & Mini Little Miracle Grant.
The grant has been established through The Fertility Foundation to help aspiring parents access fertility treatment and continue the dream that Sunny and Mini held so close to their hearts.
Why This Grant Matters
For many people across the UK, IVF remains financially out of reach.
Despite infertility affecting millions worldwide, access to NHS-funded fertility treatment continues to decline in many areas, leaving couples and individuals facing overwhelming costs alone. The Fertility Foundation was established to help bridge that gap by providing financial IVF grants and emotional support to those struggling to afford treatment.
Typically, grants awarded by the charity can contribute up to £3,000 towards fertility treatment costs including IVF, ICSI, IUI and frozen embryo transfers.
The Sunny & Mini Little Miracle Grant will now become part of that mission — helping create future families in memory of two people whose love inspired so many.
A Legacy of Love
What makes this story so powerful is not only the tragedy, but the incredible compassion shown by everyone who came together in Sunny and Mini’s honour.
Through fundraising, remembrance and community support, their loved ones have transformed heartbreak into hope for others walking difficult fertility journeys.
Every future applicant supported through this grant will become part of that legacy.
Every little miracle created through this fund will carry a piece of Sunny and Mini’s story forward.
And that is something truly extraordinary.
❤️ Forever loved. Forever remembered.
Apply for the Sunny & Mini Little Miracle Grant
Applications for the grant are expected to open between January and March 2026 through The Fertility Foundation IVF Grants programme.
Learn more about the grant here:
Sunny & Mini Little Miracle Grant
You can also learn more about the work of The Fertility Foundation and how donations help fund IVF treatment for people across the UK.