Look To The Stars News: Ian Botham

Sir Ian Botham Gets On The Magic Bus In Mumbai

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Large crowds gathered to welcome Laureus World Sports Academy members Sir Ian Botham and Kapil Dev as they paid an emotional visit to Mumbai to meet and play sport with children from the slums of Dharavi as part of the Laureus-supported Magic Bus project last week.

The Magic Bus project is a child development organization which helps to improve the lives of children living in at-risk communities where the majority of residents live on or below the poverty line in difficult and overcrowded conditions. Magic Bus creates ‘classrooms without walls’ for these children, using football, outdoor activities and games to give them an opportunity to develop vital personal and social skills that will help them build a better future and change their communities.

Botham – one of the greatest cricketers of the 20th century – and Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev took part in sports activities with the young people at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. They met girls from the magic bus project and joined in singing and dance routines which they have learned in the project. They watched boys from the Dharavi community competing against others from Salam Balak area.

England hero Ian Botham said: “It has been an honor and a privilege to be in Mumbai to see how sport can bring some hope and happiness into the lives of these children, who come from such difficult backgrounds. It is a great sadness that so many of these children have so little expectation of what most people would regard as a normal life, but at least Magic Bus can make a difference and I have been happy to be able to come here and give my support.”

And former India captain Kapil Dev, voted the Indian Cricketer of the 20th Century, added: “I have been to the Magic Bus project before and seen the wonderful work that the project does. We do what we can, but it is always heart-breaking to know that for every child we help there are maybe another ten or one hundred that we cannot. Hopefully by helping a few, they will be able to become youth leaders themselves and work to improve conditions in their community.”

Magic Bus provides opportunities to children living in marginalized sections of society through recreation and sports activities. Two of their projects focus on the children from the slums in the Dharavi and Bombay Port Trust area of Mumbai where 54% of the population lives below India’s poverty line. Founded in February 1999 in partnership with other local organizations, Magic Bus has developed and grown into one of the largest projects of its kind for children living in slums in India.

In Mumbai, Magic Bus has chosen football and handball as its main platforms, along side a number of indigenous games and outdoor learning through adventure activities. Football incorporates teamwork, fair play and collective effort.

The Magic Bus program facilitates personal and social development through sport and outdoor learning. The program enables children and youth to assert their rights and bridge the social divide. Magic Bus program revolves around the mentor who ensures a physical and emotional safe environment, facilitating a fun, child-friendly and child-participatory way using experiential learning methods. The children are taught that a healthy body and a healthy mind will go a long way in shaping their future and in the long run developing their communities. Some children reported giving up smoking after just one sports session. Children are given access to well known sports personalities, either in person or through videos, in order to inspire them to strive towards sporting excellence.

The visit was also an opportunity to present a prize to the winner of the IWC watch drawing competition. Laureus Global Partner IWC Schaffhausen, the Swiss watch manufacturer, asked participants of Laureus-supported projects around the world to submit drawings under the theme ‘Time for Luck’. The winning drawing, by a young girl who is part of the Magic Bus program, was then engraved on a new limited edition watch, the Da Vinci Chronograph Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, sales of which benefit the Foundation, and in turn projects like Magic Bus.

Ian Botham's Charity Walk Ends Successfully

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British cricket legend Sir Ian Botham has completed his 12th long-distance walk for charity.

The 52-year-old former test captain walked 140 miles through nine towns in England and Scotland to raise money for Leukaemia Research.

“It has gone very, very well,“ he told England’s Sunday Sun newspaper. “I think it has been extremely successful and the public have responded magnificently. In the buckets we are approaching about a quarter of a million or more, but that is just what we have collected physically on the road. There is all the sponsorship money to come after that. It is always nice to get the job done. There will be a little bit of a celebration tonight and then I’m on holiday.”

Sir Ian has raised over £12 million (US$20 million) since completing his first walk in 1985 – 900 miles from the northern most tip of Britain to the most southerly point.

Ian Botham - 12 Not Out For Charity

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former English cricketer Sir Ian Botham is to set off on his 12th long distance charity walk this weekend.

The 52-year-old former test captain has raised over £10 million (US$20 million) for Leukaemia Research since his first 900-mile trek from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 1995. Last year he was knighted for his efforts.

“When we set out on our first march from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 1985, the chances of survival for leukaemia patients was only 20 per cent,“ said the cricket star, who was inspired to do something positive for children’s cancer research after meeting sick children while in a Taunton hospital for treatment on a broken toe. He accidentally walked into a children’s ward and was horrified to learn that some of the children had only weeks to live. “With the necessary funding, I’m told we can raise the bar to 95 per cent in the next 10 years which would be a fantastic achievement in such a short timespan. I wont stop until there is a 100 per cent cure.”

Sir Ian will start his latest trek today, October 10, in Taunton, Somerset, where he started his cricket career, and finish in Durham on Saturday 18 October, where he played his last match. The route in between will take him through Windsor, Tunbridge Wells, Bury St Edmunds, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Llandudno, Harrogate and Milngavie near Glasgow.

“It can be a bit lonely, but this time we’re doing towns and cities so you tend to be in population all the time,” he said. “We found it a bit difficult in the wilds along the A9 collecting from the sheep so this time we can collect money along the route.”

For a detailed map of Sir Ian’s route, or to make a donation to the cause, visit his official website.

Sir Ian Botham Invites You To Join Him On Charity Walk

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

English cricket legend Sir Ian Botham is planning his 12th long distance charity walk to raise money for research into leukaemia – and this time, members of the public are invited to walk with him.

This year’s walk will be taking place for 9 days between October 10 and 18 and will visit 9 towns throughout the UK. As with Sir Ian’s previous walks, sponsorship money and donations will go to Leukaemia Research, a British charity dedicated to blood disorders in children. Childhood leukaemia is the single largest cancer-killer in children and Leukaemia Research needs over £100 million (US$200 million) to commit to new research in the next five years.

“When I started my first walk back in 1985, children diagnosed with leukaemia had just a 20% chance of survival,” said the 52-year-old former cricket captain. “Today it is an 80% chance. I won’t stop walking until there is a cure but I need your help.”

A special section of each town the walk travels through will be set aside for people to join Sir Ian in his ramble. The walk is open to everyone but if you are under 16 you will need to be accompanied by an adult, and organizers are encouraging each person to raise a minimum of £250 in sponsorship. People interested in joining the walk should register on Sir Ian’s website, and walkers will have the chance to hand their sponsorship money directly to Sir Ian before they begin their leg of the journey.

“Every penny counts,” said Sir Ian. “We can beat childhood leukaemia if we work together to raise as much money as possible.”

Sir Ian Botham Awarded For Charity Work

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former English cricket captain Sir Ian Botham has been awarded an honorary degree for his sporting feats and his charity work.

The 52-year-old cricket legend received the degree at the Leeds Metropolitan University, where British Lions rugby coach Ian McGeechan praised him for his charity fundraising walks which have netted over £5 million (US$10 million) for Leukaemia Research, an organization that helps children with the disease. Botham has led 11 long-distance walks to raise money for the foundation, which he was inspired to start in 1985 when he had to visit a Taunton hospital for treatment on a broken toe. During his stay at the hospital, the batsman was shocked into action when he stumbled into a children’s ward and witnessed the suffering of patients with leukaemia.

Since then, the chances of survival for a child with leukaemia has risen from 20% to 80%.

“That is remarkable in such a short period of time,” he said during last week’s ceremony. “If we can and we are able to defeat leukaemia…just think how many doors that could open for other forms of cancer, and that’s what keeps us going.”

Botham will launch another charity walk in October, when he will make his way around a series of UK cities. More information can be found at www.bothamwalk.com.

Butterflies Benefit British Wildlife

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:56:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Over 120 British celebrities have put their artistic skills to the test for an online auction, and a dazzling collection of their original drawings and paintings will help raise money to save wildlife.

The artworks, which all feature a colorful array of butterflies and moths, are currently being auctioned on eBay, with the proceeds going to the Dorset Wildlife Trust, one of 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the UK, dedicated to the conservation of Britain’s unique wildlife. Famous names such as Daniel Craig, Ricky Gervais, and member of the newly reformed Spice Girls, Melanie C, are just some of those who have donated artworks to the auction, which started on September 16 and will run for several months.

“We have had a fantastic and generous response from all our celebrity artists,” said auction organizer, Les Bunce. “And sponsorship of our costs means that all the money raised will go straight to help wildlife in Dorset.”

The auction follows a similar auction held five years ago, in which celebrities such as Sean Bean, Joely Richardson, and Sir Paul McCartney painted their favourite orchids for the Trust. The event raised over $60,000, and the proceeds were used to monitor and improve wildlife habitats, plant trees, clean up roadsides, and raise public motivation to support conservation issues.

The items at this year’s event will be sold a few at a time, and each drawing will be available online for a week. As items are sold, new ones will be added. The event will culminate on December 13, with works donated by Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst being auctioned at a Grand Finale at Christie’s Auction House in London.

Other celebrities involved with the event include cricketer Ian Botham, singer Katie Melua, and actor Tony Robinson. A full list of contributors can be seen at www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk, and the auction can be viewed at www.myworld.ebay.co.uk/dorsetwildlifetrust/.

Botham Knighted For Fundraising Efforts

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:21:46 -0000

Written by Gavin Fearnley

British cricket legend Ian Botham has been knighted in recognition of his outstanding fundraising efforts.

The all-rounder is estimated to have raised around £10m (around $20m) for Leukaemia Research through a series of long-distance charity walks.

The 51-year-old became the first player to score 5,000 runs in the sport that made him famous.

Speaking after the Queen’s Birthday Honours were announced he said he was “delighted”.

He cites as his inspiration a chance visitation to a children’s ward whilst recovering from a toe injury, admitting he was shocked to learn some of the youngsters had just weeks to live.

Botham has since completed eleven walks, starting in 1985 with a gruelling 1500 kilometre hike spanning the length of Britain from John o’ Groats to Land’s End.

That fundraising has continued since and earlier this month he headed an all-star golfing day at Scotland’s Gleneagles Hotel. The event, in Perthshire, was co-hosted by former Boyzone front man Ronan Keating.

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