Charity fundraiser launched in memory of popular former Crawley mayor

Former mayor Rajesh ‘Raj’ Sharma, who was described by borough council leader Peter Lamb as ‘one of the kindest, most generous men I’ve ever known’, passed away on January 12.

Tributes to former mayor and popular Crawley figure

His wife, Bhavna, set up a crowdfunding page to continue to support Raj’s charitable work – and by Monday morning more than £2,300 had been donated.

Writing on the JustGiving page, Bhavna said Raj’s passing ‘leaves a heart-breaking absence and void within all our lives’.

She added: “Everything about his departure seems so unfair, however we know he is now on his greatest spiritual journey.

“Rajesh’s soul and his heart will always remain within us.

“Anyone who was fortunate to know him knew he was a vibrant, energetic, fun loving and lets not forget that cheeky personality.”

Raj was born in Delhi, India, in 1952, moving to Crawley in 1992 and becoming an extremely popular figure around the town.

He worked at the Crawley Boys Club/Crawley Youth Centre, in West Green, until 2020 and has represented Southgate ward since 2014.

He became the town’s first Hindu mayor, serving in 2016/17 and 2019/20.