By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IT was their family dream home in Cranbourne East that they will never get to move into as a family.
Sangeeta Sirohi and her husband Rajneesh were putting the finishing touches on their new home when doctors diagnosed tragedy.
The mother of two was told she had advanced leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the uterus in April last year – and she passed on Sunday 10 January, leaving behind a heartbroken husband, 12-year-old son and four-year-old daughter.
Their daughter is currently unaware of her mother’s death as her father, Rajneesh battles with debt, selling his dream home, depression and great grief, after he was forced to quit his job to look after his two children.
But it’s been the recurring burglaries to the turnkey property which has added strain and heartache to what has been a devastating turn of events.
Thieves stripped the brand new home over three separate break-ins, taking with them a new video intercom, vanities, lighting, ducted heating, oven and cooktop and doorbell among other things.
But it’s been the incredible kindness from the most unlikely place that has warmed the family’s broken heart.
He’s been called an “angel” by the late Sangeeta’s brother, Sanjeev, and he has a goal to raise $100,000 for the struggling family.
Lucas Petrovich, director at Century 21 Results in Cranbourne, was chosen by Rajneesh to sell his family’s dream home, after deciding he couldn’t do it without his beloved wife.
The couple had been planning and saving for the home for many years and relative Sanjeev told Star News the shock and continuous break-ins to the home Sangeeta and Rajneesh (Raj) “built with so much love and hope” has “totally broken Raj”.
“My sister and her family spent their whole lives living in a small flat, saving money to build a house of their dreams but it’s sad and a shame that it couldn’t happen,” Sanjeev said.
Sanjeev quit his job in the UK to be with his younger sister before she passed and aid his family in their time of need.
“The children have suffered a lot in every sense, the illness and death of my sister has affected Raj and the whole family quite immensely,” he said.
“Raj is on the verge of a breakdown, he is in a very vulnerable situation. But being a very proud man he doesn’t want to share his agony with anyone, he is someone who hardly would ask for help.”
Estate agent, Lucas said he could understand what the family was going through, having lost his own dad at age five, while building a family home.
“My father died of cancer and I know what my mum went through, she was left in a very hard situation, it’s just a co-incidence that they too were half way through building when dad died,” Lucas said.
The young family is currently living in a rental home in Cheltenham, while Rajneesh drives taxis so he can pick up his children from school.
Lucas hopes any cent he can raise for the family will help them get back on their feet financially.
“We have a ‘go fund me’ account and we got $8000 donated in just nine days,” Lucas said.
But it’s the pain of a stolen future that hurts the most.
The new home has been broken into three times – once was on Easter Sunday – and Lucas said such crime was common in Cranbourne.
“We see a lot of new homes getting robbed, we heard the mains were switched off to steal the heating so they obviously know what they are doing,” Lucas said.
Sanjeev, who had to return to the UK due to visa restrictions, said he has no words for Lucas.
“He is an angel. I hope his fund-raising campaign helps the family.”
To donate to the Sirohi’s visit: www.gofundme.com/g4w8hmps or contact Century 21 Results Cranbourne on 5991 3888.
