CRICKET legends Sir Ian Botham and Farokh Engineer are backing plans for a new state-of the-art-cricket academy in Bangladesh.
Due to open its doors in late 2012, the academy is the latest venture from Scotland-based curry king and entrepreneur, Tommy Miah, and a testament to his long-standing commitment to promote  Bangladesh in a positive light. It is expected to provide a huge boost for cricket in Sylhet and an important breeding ground for young talent in untouched rural localities.
Tommy said: “I have already have the support of major players in the …

EASTENDERS stars Nitin Ganatra (Masood Ahmed), Thomas Law (Peter Beale) and Himesh Patel (Tamwar Masood) were among the celebrities who helped raise money for The Anthony Nolan Trust at the Football All Star Tournament (FAST).
The annual event celebrated its second year running at the Broadfields Country Club, North Harrow, on Saturday 31st July. Over £2000 was raised for the charity as some of the UK’s leading Asian media titles and popular celebrities battled it out on the football pitch.
Events company, Zen Events, were crowned winners of the tournament, whilst Channel …

MUSIC  maestro AR Rahman has composed an exclusive ringtone for Lebara as part of a three year deal. Aptly, the titled the Lebara Tune, the ringtone is the first of three pieces of music which will be composed exclusively for Lebara by the legend himself.
It is inspired by the birdcall and is available to Lebara customers as a free ringtone for a limited period, downloadable via http://uk.lebara.mobi (the mobile portal). Fans can also download it via iTunes for 99p and all proceeds from this will go to The AR Rahman …

PROMINENT UK Asian Media and a host of celebrities will unite to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust in a friendly 5-A-Side football tournament on June 6.
Voodoo Entertainment and Media Moguls will host the Football All-Star tournament (FAST) for a second year running at Broadfield’s Country Club, located in the heart of Harrow.
Due to popular demand, the organisers will introduce a mini rounder’s tournament in addition to the usual 5-a-side football so everyone can get involved.
Last year, over £2000 was raised in aid of Great Ormond Street …

PROGRESS is the theme for International Women’s Day, which today celebrates its 100th anniversary. Thousands of events are being held across the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. But a male gathering and rally in Bangladesh, organised by the Acid Survivor’s Foundation (ASF) best encapsulates this year’s theme of progress. That is because it saw hundreds of men with candles in hand coming together and vowing to resist against acid violence, which typically involves a man throwing acid in a woman’s face. Acid attacks are usually a result …

WITH Mother’s day around the corner, it would be wrong not to highlight the exceptional work of one particular mum, who has transformed the lives of many deaf parents around the UK. Sabina Iqbal is herself a deaf parent of two hearing children and the founder of the Deaf Parenting UK. She has just been awarded the Tesco Magazine Charitable Mum of the Year award for her dedication and commitment to help others.
After realising that there were no other services to help mothers and fathers like her, she decided …

BRITISH Asian artist Mumzy, England cricketer Adil Rashid and TV and radio presenter Murtaza Ali are amongst the celebrities who have come together to support the Change4Life movement.
Change4Life is a national campaign headed by the Department of Health, which today launches its drive to help families in Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups eat well, move more and live longer.
Adil Rashid said: “I am delighted to support the Change4Life campaign. As professional sportsmen, we know better than anyone the value of a healthy diet and regular exercise and …

It’s not just Tinsletown’s rich and famous who are raising much-needed funds for the people of Haiti. A reporter from the Slough Observer, Inderdeep Bains, better known as Inders, is doing her bit to help.
The 26 year-old has launched a fundraising idea with a difference, and is hoping local readers in Berkshire will dig deep in their pockets to show their support.
Inders is offering readers the chance to wine and dine with her over a lavish three course meal at a luxury hotel on February 12. Not only will they …

STARS around the world have been donating money to help the thousands of victims affected by the earthquake in Haiti. The representatives of the UN World Food Programme say the country requires more than 100 million prepared meals to keep people alive over the next 30 days.  Scotland-based Bangladeshi chef and entrepreneur Tommy Miah is doing his bit to help raise funds for the food programme in Bangladesh, Edinburgh and London. He will launch his campaign in London on Jan 21 at the Portcullis House, Westminster between 12.30 and 2pm. Tommy will …

OLD skool bhangra fans are in for a treat as some of the industries biggest legends have united for charity.
Unity is an all-star collaboration which brings together an extraordinary line up of legendary artists from the 70s and 80s including Premi, Heera, Apna Sangeet, Holle Holle, Shava Shava, Azaad, DCS and Mangal Singh of Chirag Pehchan.
All the artists have featured on a brand  new charity single, “Asi Haan Punjabi” (We are punjabi), to raise money for Children In Need. The feel-good track has been masterminded by the former member of Premi, Raaju, who is …