A powerful personal story of migration, opportunity and service lay at the heart of Ealoor Harmony Night, a cultural and awards celebration held on Saturday 7th February at Wythenshawe Forum, that brought together NHS nurses, international students, community leaders, education and healthcare partners in support of Stockport NHS Charity.
Founded by Mathew James, Ealoor Group, based in Stockport, began not as a business venture but as a voluntary mission in Kerala, India. In 2001, Mathew started helping a small number of young nurses and students secure opportunities in the UK — including Jeril Cyriac Kandarapallil, the very first student supported by Ealoor, who attended the event and was honoured with a Silver Jubilee Alumni Award. Jeril received special recognition on the night and shared a few words reflecting on his journey, marking a powerful full-circle moment in Ealoor Consultancy’s 25-year history.
of the most vulnerable patients and their families, by supporting Stockport NHS Charity, with a particular focus on the Neo-Natal Unit.
A 25-Year Journey of Growth and Impact
More than two decades on, and as Ealoor Consultancy marks its 25th year, the organisation now operates across the UK, Kerala and Dubai, having supported over 7,000 healthcare professionals and 7,000 international students to build their futures in the UK.
The event celebrated the deep and enduring contribution of the Indian community to the UK — particularly within the NHS. One of the evening’s VIP guests was Navendu Mishra MP, the Member of Parliament for Stockport, himself of Indian heritage, underscoring the strong cultural and civic ties between India and the UK.
Speaking after the event, Stockport businessman John Wheelan, a former accountant with business operations in Chennai, said: “It was a wonderful celebration of Indian culture in the UK. India has 17% of the world’s population and if you include the diaspora, it may well be 25%. The room was filled with love and scores of now-mature NHS nurses of Indian ethnicity. We heard wonderful tales from these committed NHS nurses of how their lives have developed since they travelled halfway across the world on Ealoor-sponsored visas and brought up their own families in the UK over the last two decades.”
Recognising the Contribution of the Indian Community
The importance of international nurses to the future of UK healthcare was a central theme of the evening. Bejoy Sebastian, President of the Royal College of Nursing, told attendees that without international nurses, the NHS could risk collapse, highlighting the sector’s reliance on global talent.
Honouring Excellence in Nursing and Education
The evening concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating excellence and professional progression across international education and nursing. Among the award recipients were Jini Arun, Senior Neonatal Advanced Clinical Practitioner at King’s College Hospital, recognised for her exceptional journey from junior nurse to senior ACP, where she now leads care for complex and high-risk neonatal patients; and Bindu Kurien, honoured for becoming one of the first Malayalee nurses appointed as a Ward Sister in the UK and for her subsequent progression to Lead Nurse at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, where she actively champions workforce development and equality. Both awards were presented by Nicola Firth, Chief Nurse at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.
The Rising Star International Student Achievement Award was presented to Councillor Aaron Roy, an Ealoor alumnus and Hartlepool’s first non-White councillor. The award, presented by Navendu Mishra MP, Member of Parliament for Stockport, recognised his unique contribution in combining nursing, public service and community leadership to promote inclusion through sport and civic engagement across the North East.
The Ealoor International Nurse Excellence Award was awarded to Aby Joseph, a recipient of the British Empire Medal, in recognition of his outstanding leadership, compassionate service, and pivotal role in supporting healthcare teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. This award was presented by Dr Denise Baker, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the College of Health and Humanities at the University of Derby.
The Ealoor International Student Excellence Award was presented to Sandhya Padmaraj, recognised for her remarkable progression from international postgraduate student to Senior Lecturer in Child Nursing. Her work continues to shape the next generation of nurses through education, leadership and innovation. This award was also presented by Dr Denise Baker.
Supporting Stockport NHS Charity
Guests were also treated to live performances from acclaimed Indian artists and Ealoor’s own university students showcasing the strong sense of community at the heart of the celebration.
The evening also served as a successful fundraiser for Stockport NHS Charity, with guests bidding in a live charity auction that featured standout items including a Stockport County football shirt signed by the entire first-team squad — a highlight for sports fans and local supporters alike. In addition to the auction, a JustGiving page was set up to allow wider community support from those unable to attend, helping to further boost contributions in aid of vital life-saving equipment for the Neonatal Unit.
“When I first began helping nurses in Kerala, India, I could never have imagined evenings like this. Seeing nurses and students who arrived with dreams now settled with families, careers and deep roots in the UK is incredibly moving. Supporting Stockport NHS Charity, and recognising the essential role international nurses play in our health service, makes this celebration even more meaningful.”