Magic Bus takes another trip

Andrew Flintoff and Shaun Udal visited the Magic Bus in India in 2006 © Getty Images

The ECB and Premier League have joined forces with the charity Magic Bus to support their ‘Night for Champions’, which is being held on Wednesday.

During the 2006 tour of India, England players Andrew Flintoff and Shaun Udal visited the children's charity in Mumbai, taking part in a game of 'leg cricket' which involves the use of a football.

A return trip to Magic Bus is planned for this winter when England return to India for a three-Test series and seven one-day internationals.

Magic Bus is a child’s rights based organisation working for at-risk and marginalised children in Mumbai since 1999, through the medium of sport and outdoor education.

Magic Bus uses the outdoors as its classroom, and creates a space where young people can challenge themselves and discover the strength within to overcome obstacles and fulfil their potential. Since its inception, Magic Bus has reached out to over 35,000 children.

Children on the programme live in some of the poorest conditions in the world - in the slums, streets, red-light districts and construction sites of Mumbai.

Through football and outdoor programmes the children learn about teamwork, fair play and communications, develop self-confidence and self-esteem and build a sense of community and responsibility towards their environment.

Every penny from Wednesday's event, where 400 guests including Devon Malcolm and Vodafone player of the year Claire Taylor will flock to Stationers Hall in St Paul's for curry and drinks, followed by a screening of the the Champions League final, will go to the charity.

"There is a more serious message to the night," said Magic Bus founder and chief executive Matthew Spacie.

"Night for Champions provides Magic Bus with an opportunity to highlight the importance of all sport in the personal and social development of children worldwide, including that of street and slum children in India.

"Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the ECB and our other supporters, every penny raised through ticket sales will go directly towards our work."