Steps for flight 171 - in loving memory of Abdhi Patel

Our names are Leona Cook and Sandi, On the final day of my honeymoon in Barbados, I (Leona) heard the devastating news that Air India Flight 171 had crashed shortly after takeoff. Holding my husband’s hand and thinking of our two beautiful children waiting at home, my heart broke for the families who would never get that chance again. We made it home. But 241 souls never did. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, partners, friends—gone in an instant. One survivor. And hundreds of lives changed forever. When we got home, the tragedy hit even closer. My mum, Sandi, went to her regular beauty appointment—only to learn that her trusted beauty technician and friend of 15 years Abdhi Patel, had been on that flight. Abdhi was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a kind, gentle soul who touched so many lives. Her loss has devastated everyone who knew her. We haven’t been able to stop thinking about her—or all the others whose lives were lost. And we can’t sit back and do nothing. So together, as mother and daughter, we’ve made a promise: to walk the distance Flight 171 was meant to travel—4,253 miles. That’s over 8.5 million steps. All money raised will go directly to Abdhi Patel’s husband and son, who are now left navigating life with an unthinkable loss and a hole that can never be filled We don’t know how long this journey will take. But we do know we will get there for Abdhi. For all 241. With love and deepest respect, Leona & Sandi #StepsForFlight171