Thousands raised for charity

Devon Malcolm and Colin Croft watch the action during Wednesday's event

The ECB helped raise more than £13,000 for children's charity Magic Bus by co-hosting a 'Night of Champions' with the Premier League.

The two organisations held the bash, where money from ticket sales went straight to the charity, at Stationers Hall in St Paul's where 400 guests crammed in to enjoy curry and drinks before watching the enthralling Champions League Final.

Former England bowler Devon Malcolm and West Indian great Colin Croft attended the event, as did Vodafone player of the year Claire Taylor and Indian tennis stars Mahesh Buphati and Rohann Bopanna.

The ECB works in conjunction with Magic Bus to help thousands of children living in slum conditions on the streets of India, some of the poorest and most difficult in the world. Since 1999 more than 35,000 children have been helped and now Magic Bus is aiming to expand its operations by teaming up with UNICEF.

The charity aims to use sport as a means to engage children living in slum conditions, to develop their self-esteem and confidence, and teach vital life skills, health, hygiene and gender messages.

Magic Bus uses sporting role models to help children in India realise that they have the potential to change their own communities. During England’s tour of India in 2006, Andrew Flintoff and Shaun Udal visited some of the children with whom the charity was working.

Matthew Spacie, Magic Bus Chief Executive, was delighted with how the night turned out.

"It provided Magic Bus with an opportunity to highlight the importance of sport in the personal and social development of children worldwide, including that of street and slum children in India," he said.

"Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Premier League, Coca Cola and our food and drink partners, every penny raised through ticket sales is going directly towards our work."

Click here to see the official Magic Bus website.