More than a year since the death of their loving son, Bobby Dorka's family have set up a charity in his name to keep his spirit alive.
GRIEVING mum Kam Dorka says she does not have the courage to move any of her late son's possessions in her house.
Her family has been made stronger by the loss that rocked their world. And now, 16 months after their son's death, they have set up a charity in his name to keep his spirit with them.
Bobby Dorka was an ambitious, caring 21-year-old when he suffered a sudden, fatal blood clot in his pulmonary artery while at work. He was a happy and healthy person who always looked out for others. And he had a vision of one day finding a way to do this on a huge scale – and making a name for himself in the process.
The Bobby Dorka Foundation Trust has been established with a view to fulfilling both of those goals.
The trust will hold fund-raising activities throughout the year and then donate the proceeds to a worthy cause after six or 12 months.
The Derby family have been overwhelmed by the support they have received over the last year and are now looking ahead to realising their son's dream in his memory.
But their journey to this point has been a long and difficult one.
On April 12, last year, Bobby got up and ready for work as he did every day. He had breakfast with his mother before leaving the house to go to work in Langley Mill.
"We had our breakfast as normal," Kam recalls. "Then he got up and said, 'see you Mum'. And he left for work and that was it."
When he arrived at work, he told his cousin Cheyenne – who worked with him in IT support at Laidlaw – that he felt unwell and would go home at lunchtime.
Shortly afterwards, Bobby's father, Jazz, received a phone call from the firm at about 10am.
"They said Bobby wasn't well and they had just called an ambulance and told me that I should meet them at the QMC," says the 50-year-old.
Bobby had suffered a pulmonary embolism – a blood clot in the artery that transports blood to the lungs – and his heart had stopped. After 90 minutes of trying, doctors were finally able to get his heart beating.
Jazz says: "The doctor came out and told us that his heart was beating again and it looked like things were improving. But then he went back and we waited.
"Then he came out again and said he was really bad and they didn't think he was going to make it.
"We couldn't believe it. It was devastating. We thought he was getting better."
Bobby was moved to the intensive care unit and remained there overnight. But the 90 minutes of heart inactivity had damaged his brain.
"The doctors did all they could but ultimately it wasn't enough," Jazz adds.
A post-mortem examination concluded that his heart was totally functional and the family never found out what caused the embolism.
The close family – made up of Jazz, Kam and their two other children, Harleen, 18, and Kironpal, 16 – were shell-shocked by what happened and Kam says they are still coming to terms with their loss.
The 50-year-old teacher at Dale Primary School says: "Bobby's death has affected everyone. None of us can believe it. We still think, 'has it really happened?' It has brought everyone closer.
"I don't have the courage to move anything of his in the house yet. Everything in his room is still in the same place."
Bobby attended Littleover Community School, where he completed his A-levels before doing an apprenticeship, aged 18. He then went straight into a job at Laidlow and was up for a promotion at the time of his death.
He was a keen five-a-side football player and spent much of his free time doing karate at John Jepson Black Belt Academy.
His family remember him as a fun-loving young man who always took time to help others.
Kam adds: "Bobby used to say, 'If you go to sleep without making someone smile, you haven't had a productive day'. He was such a loving and caring person, he would do anything for anyone."
These are the fundamentals behind the charity that has been set up in his name. By not tying it down to one particular charity, the trust can choose the destination of the funds and pick the most worthwhile causes.
Jazz explains: "We wanted to leave it open so that the money could go to people that really need it at the time," he says. "The ideal plan is to have a pot that is growing continuously."
The family have been receiving letters on a daily basis from people applying for funding. They will consider all applications as well as researching other causes before coming to a decision.
"When the time comes, the trustees of the charity will sit down and decide what to do with the money," he adds.
Jazz, Bobby's best friend, George Carter, and their karate teacher, Paul Mansfield, are the current trustees. George took part in the Great North Run last year – despite having a broken foot and completing the challenge in a wheelchair.
He and Bobby were best friends for nearly 10 years and he is determined to ensure the trust is a success.
"I want to keep Bobby's spirit in people's memories for as long as possible. I have a chance to make Bobby famous like he wanted to be so I am going to do everything in my power to do that," he says.
With karate such a large part of his life, Bobby was also very close to coach Paul.
He recalls the atmosphere in the gym after Bobby had died.
"It was devastating for everyone," says the 48-year-old. "Everyone knew and liked Bobby. Even all the new students know who he is and they want to do their bit for the charity as well."
An estimated £2,800 has been raised in a short space of time across a number of events, including five-a-side football tournaments, golf tournaments and a 24-hour pool marathon.
Nicky Fletcher, another of Bobby's friends, who also works at the karate club, will be climbing to the base camp of Mount Everest to generate funding. The 27-year-old, of Ticknall, says: "It is going to be a challenge but hopefully it will be a success."
The Dorka family are slowly but surely finding their feet again after a long year, with the foundation allowing them to keep Bobby in their thoughts.
Harleen, Bobby's younger sister, is in line to be named the next trustee of the charity. She has fond memories of her brother.
"He never wanted to see me upset and would always ask why I'm not smiling," she says. "And if I wasn't smiling then he would do something to make me smile."
Kironpal remembers his brother as a wind-up merchant, with one particular occasion in mind.
"It was during winter and we were out sledging," he remembers. "I needed to climb over a brook at the golf course and I fell in. The water was freezing and I was trying to get out and he just stood there laughing."
It is hoped that the foundation will allow these fond memories of Bobby to live on.
Kam says: "It is a way to keep him with us for as long as possible."
George thinks that his friend would be proud of everyone involved.
He adds: "He said you have to live each day as if it's your last. If we can help people on a massive scale then I don't anything could have made him happier."
For more in formation on the charity, visit www.bobbydorka.com.
SAINSBURY'S LOCAL CHARITIES
THE Bobby Dorka Foundation Trust is being supported by the Local Charity scheme from supermarket chain Sainsbury's.
The branch in Kedleston Road, Derby, will be raising funds to go to the charity for the next 12 months.
Nicky Fletcher nominated the trust for the scheme without even telling the family, who were delighted when told they had won.
Jazz Dorka, Bobby's dad and trustee of the charity, said the support would be great for the trust.
He said: "It is amazing. All the staff went through the charities and they picked this one. It's absolutely fantastic. We're so grateful."
One charity is selected for a full year and funds are raised in-store using collection tins.
Nicky had seen the project and nominated the charity, thinking it had a chance.
She said: "I just thought, 'Why not?' and then it won, which was amazing."
Sainsbury's is looking forward to helping the foundation develop in its early days.
Store manager Tracey Banks said: "We're absolutely delighted to be able to support Bobby's charity, helping to make his vision a reality."
The family hope the partnership with the firm will help generate plenty of cash over the next year.
THE SYMPTOMS
A PULMONARY embolism is a blockage in the pulmonary artery, which is the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs.
This blockage – usually a blood clot – is potentially life threatening, as it can prevent blood from reaching your lungs.
The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism can sometimes be difficult to recognise because they can vary between individuals. However, the main symptoms include:
Chest pain – a stabbing pain that may be worse when you breathe in.
Shortness of breath – this can come on suddenly or develop gradually.
Coughing – this is usually dry, but may include coughing up blood.
Feeling faint, dizzy or passing out.
You should visit your GP as soon as possible if you have a combination of these symptoms.
Pulmonary embolisms can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle.
