Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Amir Khan teams-up with Barnardo's for 'Fast For A Day' campaign

Boxing superstar Amir Khan teamed-up with children's charity Barnardo's for their 'Fast For A Day' campaign and invited ten fans, from different faiths and backgrounds, to fast with him on Saturday (26) and share a meal with him when it came time to break their fast in the evening.  

Khan asked his 1.2 million followers on Instagram to say why they want to fast with him and what it would mean to them to meet him. The ten lucky winners enjoyed Iftar (the breaking of the fast) with a delicious three-course meal at the award winning Dishoom restaurant in Kings Cross.  


The winners, who were all from different faiths, spent the evening mingling with Khan in their own private reception area of the restaurant and were treated to photographs and autographed items from the former two time world champion.  

Khan said: "Fast For A Day is supporting the important work of Barnardo's with some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and I’m proud to be able to support their work this Ramadan, a month where giving and charitable causes are especially highlighted. 

"I have had a wonderful evening with everyone and its great to see that I have many of my non-Muslims fans here who are able to see and have experienced the important reasons why we fast. 

"Fasting teaches us to be aware of the less fortunate people around the world. To think about how people are starving and suffering around the world and how we can help them. During Ramadan people give so much charity, such as through Zakat, and it's important that everyone is aware of the great work that charities, such as Barnardo's do with the money donated." 

Barnardo's 'Fast For A Day' campaign aims to show the sacrifice and dedication Muslims around show during the month of Ramadan and their commitment to giving charity during the holy month. According to the Charity Commission, British Muslims alone gave a £100 million during the month of Ramadan in 2016. 

Barnardo’s chief executive, Javed Khan said: “Fast For A Day will showcase what the month of Ramadan means for hundreds of thousands of families, households and individuals throughout the UK this month. It’s fantastic to see popular British Asians of all faiths come together to support Barnardo’s during Ramadan and our Time For Family campaign.” 

Other British Asian celebritites taking part in the 'Fast For A Day' campaign include, Bhangra singer Juggy D, Bend it like Beckham actor Ameet Chana, R&B singer Arjun, Punjabi singer Tasha Tah, TV presenter Suzi Mann and radio presenter Anushka Arora. 

More For You

Air India flight crash
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
Getty Images

Air India crash probe finds fuel to engines was cut off before impact

Highlights

 
     
  • Fuel to both engines of the Air India flight was cut off seconds before the crash
  •  
  • A pilot was heard questioning the other over the cut-off; both denied initiating it.
  •  
  • The Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people.
  •  
  • Investigators are focusing on fuel switch movement; full analysis may take months.

FUEL control switches to both engines of the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff were moved from the "run" to the "cutoff" position seconds before the crash, according to a preliminary investigation report released early Saturday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chinese vessel tracked in Bay of Bengal after disabling identification system

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have consistently reported Chinese research vessel presence. (Representational image: Getty Images)

Chinese vessel tracked in Bay of Bengal after disabling identification system

A Chinese research vessel was detected operating in the Bay of Bengal near Indian waters while attempting to conceal its presence by disabling its Automatic Identification System (AIS), according to a report by The Economic Times, citing French maritime intelligence firm Unseenlabs.

The French company conducted a 16-day satellite-based survey tracking ships through radio frequency emissions. It monitored 1,897 vessels, with 9.6 per cent showing no AIS activity, indicating attempts to avoid detection. The survey raised concerns amid increased Chinese activity in the region.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian-inspired garden earns
five awards at Hampton Court

(From left) Malcolm Anderson (RHS, head of sustainability) Clare Matterson (RHS director general), Lorraine Bishton (Subaru UK and Ireland, managing director) Andrew Ball (director, Big Fish Landscapes) Mike McMahon and Jewlsy Mathews with the medals

Asian-inspired garden earns five awards at Hampton Court

BRITISH Asians are being encouraged to take up gardening by a couple who have won a record five medals at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

“It’s a contemporary reimagining of a traditional walled garden, highlighting the British and Irish rainforests,” said Jewlsy Mathews, who was born in Britain of parents from Kerala, a southern Indian state known for its lush vegetation.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England

iStock

England faces widespread heat alerts and hosepipe bans amid rising temperatures

Highlights:

  • Amber heat health alerts in place for large parts of England
  • Hosepipe bans announced in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex
  • Temperatures could reach 33°C over the weekend
  • Health risks rise, especially for elderly and vulnerable groups

Heat warnings in effect as UK braces for another hot weekend

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England, with temperatures expected to climb to 33°C in some areas over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated the warning at 12 pm on Friday, with it set to remain in place until 9 am on Monday.

The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, East of England, and London. Additional yellow alerts were issued for the north-east, north-west, and Yorkshire and the Humber, starting from midday Friday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Essex ladybird invasion

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear

Dee-anne Markiewicz / SWNS

Swarms of ladybirds invade Essex coastline amid soaring temperatures

Highlights:

  • Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
  • Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
  • Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
  • Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer

Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast

Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.

Keep ReadingShow less