Members give Magic Bus a push

16 December 2008

Generous TwelfthMan members dipped into their pockets last Friday night and raised more than £500 for Indian-based charity Magic Bus.

Around 80 fans visited The Brit Oval for a curry night where Graham Thorpe and Ravi Bopara joined compere Mike Gatting for an evening of cricket-based entertainment.

Members dug deep during the raffle where prizes included tickets to an npower Test match, a cricket bat signed by the England team and a bottle of champagne.

Ex-England captain Mike Gatting was compere for the event which was held at the Brit Oval

All proceeds taken on the night went to Magic Bus which helps 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 evening - held to coincide with the First Test in Chennai - also included a fiercely fought quiz and a game of heads and tails.

The proceedings were spiced up when former Surrey and England favourite Thorpe and current England one-day squad member Bopara joined Gatting on stage for a question and answer session.

The trio were interrogated on a number of cricketing issues, including the tour to India and who they thought would win next year's LV County Championship.

The group were also asked how they would improve cricket. The quick-witted Bopara responded by suggesting having 11 substitute fielders ensuring he would only have to bat during a match.