British Asian Celebrities gather in the Midlands for the launch of Charity

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PRESS RELEASE: 11th July 2009

Personalities from the world of British Asian music, television and media converged on the West Midlands for the special charity ball by Desi Donors, in the hope of raising awareness and funds for Bone Marrow & Blood Donation charities.

The launch of Desi Donors, took place on Friday 10th July 2009 to help raise awareness for the Anthony Nolan Trust and was attended by showbiz favourites including Taz (Stereo Nation), Shin (DCS), Channi & Mona Singh, Gurcharan Mall (Dhol Blasters), Des-C, B21, BBC’s Sonia Deol, Majid from The Apprentice and other special guests.
The glamour-filled event treated guests to a three-course meal, live entertainment from some of the biggest names in the Brit-Asian music scene, a charity auction and additional festivities. The charity auction saw the bidding of great sport memorabilia such as a signed Eric Cantona No7 Manchester United Shirt, a cricket bat signed by India’s player Dhoni, a signed Liverpool top by Jamie Redknapp…just to name a few.

Highlights of the night included B21 and Shin of DCS performing on stage together for the first time ever in the history of Bhangra.

The new charity Desi Donors is the creation of British Asian media and entertainment magnets Munjula Sharda & Reena Combo.

Both British Asian women are highly devoted to form the awareness charity following the plight of nine-year old Dean Sheikh, a sufferer of Dyskeratosis Congenita (a form of Bone Marrow failure) and Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson Syndrome (a condition affecting the ability to walk and talk). Munjula Sharda & Reena Combo said:

"We set up Desi Donors because we felt there wasn't anything dedicated specifically to the Asian community to promote the need for Bone Marrow donors."After meeting Dean and seeing the constant struggle in trying to find him a match we decided something needed to be done. We realised a lot of Asians didn’t even know what being a Bone Marrow donor meant.

"Desi Donors will hopefully raise Asian people’s awareness on how important it is to register. Setting up this charity has been one of the most important things we have ever done."

The project is supported by actress and comedienne Meera Syal. She explained:

"As someone who has supported Anthony Nolan Trust in the past, I am so happy that Desi Donors has been set up to help raise the important awareness of joining the Bone Marrow register.

"There are thousands of Asians dying unnecessarily because there aren't enough young people joining the register. Asian people need to realise the importance of this and the fact that they could be saving a life."


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NOTES TO EDITORS:

  • - Munjula Sharda & Reena Combo are the founders of Desi Donors.
  • - The Desi Donors Charity Ball was supported by The Anthony Nolan Trust, The National Blood Service, Asiana Magazine and Brit Asia TV.
  • - Desi Donors official website: www.desidonors.org