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2009-11-25 - Silver Star Gala Dinner

Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty and Sanjay Dutt joined together at a gala dinner in support of the work of diabetes awareness charity Silver Star.

The city of Mumbai will be the permanent base for the new Mobile Diabetes Unit (MDU), which was presented to Big B by the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown. It will travel the area testing thousands of Indians for the illness, which can prove fatal if left untreated.  

The dinner was a huge success, with more than 700 guests showing their support and appreciation for the work of Silver Star, which has now established 4 MDUs across the UK and in India.

Not only did this event celebrate the launch of the ‘Amitabh’ bus – which will be put into action in Mumbai later this year – but it also kicked off the fundraising for bus number 5, to be based in Birmingham.

Silver Star has long had the support of Amitabh Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty. In October 2009, Mr. Bachchan launched India’s first MDU in Goa, where the charity opened its first office on the Sub-Continent.

So far, 7025 people have been tested around the area, an excellent start but a long way off its target of the whole state.

Fourteen million people in India have been diagnosed with diabetes, a massive figure by any account but one which does not take into account the number of people living undiagnosed with the condition, which is recognised to be the world’s fifth biggest killer and is up to 6 times more common in South Asian people.

Silver Star intends to put a halt to this worrying trend – by 2025, it is predicted that India will be the diabetes capital of the world. The only way to stop this is to work from the grassroots up, raising awareness, offering preventative advice and giving free testing. And this is what the charity will continue to do, in India, in the UK and elsewhere in the world.

2009-10-25 Big B launches Diabetes Unit in Goa

Legendary Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan has launched Silver Star’s first Mobile Diabetes Unit in India.

The State of Goa will now be the permanent home of Silver Star’s first mobile unit  on the Sub-Continent and the MDU , complete with testing equipment, a bed and other  facilities, will travel around the State offering free diabetes testing to all.

Amitabh Bachchan is the charity’s International Patron launching the Leicester based diabetes centre in August 2008. The star of the silver screen honoured for his artistic and charitable work throughtout the world has just been announced as the presenter of Big Boss, the Indian version of Big Brother.

A galaxy of wellwishers, and thousands of local people were present at the launch at Goa Hyundai, Verna . The MDU was launched in the presence of Silver Star’s founder patron, Keith Vaz MP, Goa’s Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Silver Star India Patron  Captain Krishna Nair and many others . The entire cost of the MDU was donated by  Nana Bandakar a local businessman.  Also present were  Goa Trustees  Dilip Francis,  Sushila Mendes and  Dr Angelo Ferreira. During his speech Amitabh, 67 two weeks before,  announced his own surprise on the day – a donation of Rs 11 Lakh.

The charity has had huge success in the UK, where its Mobile Unit has so far tested a total of 4298 people. India is catching up since only January 2009, a total of twenty four ‘Diabetes Camps’ have been held throughout the state of Goa. The MDU will serve to make this free facility available to even more people. Over thousand people have been tested.

This is only the beginning for Silver Star in India – Mumbai and Delhi will be next to benefit from free testing for all.

India is host to a shocking 50.8 billion diabetics, a massive figure by any standards but one which does not even take into account the number of people living undiagnosed with the condition, which is recognised to be the world’s fifth biggest killer and is up to 6 times more common in South Asian people.

2009-06-20 Launch of the second Mobile Diabetes Unit at the House of Commons

Silver Star launched its second Mobile Diabetes Unit at an event at the House of Commons.

The overwhelming demand for the services of the first MDU since its introduction in 2008 has meant the second vehicle is an assential addition to the charity's activities.

The second MDU will allow Silver Star to reach more communities and businesses to provide the Type 2 diabetes test and give advice on how to avoid and manage the condition.

The launch event was attended by Cherie Blair, wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Silver Star Patron Dorothy Purdew.

The new MDU was officially named "Dorothy" in honour of Mrs. Purdew in appreciation for all the tireless work she has done for numbers of charities.

Mrs. Purdew said:

"The new MDU looks wonderful and I'm so pleased that we are now going to be able to reach even more people. For it to be named after me was a huge surprise and a great honour. I'm sure it won't be long before the 3rd MDU arrives!"

Mrs. Blair said:

"Silver Star does a huge amount of important work to counter diabetes and I'm sure this new vehicle will be a valuable addition to the charity's testing programme."

2009-02-10 - Diabetes Day in the Houses of Parliament

                                       Andrew Pelling MP                                                                     Andrew Selous MP

                                             Anne Main MP                                                                    Annette Brooke MP

                                      Ben Bradshaw MP                                                                         Ben Chapman MP

                                          Betty Williams MP                                                                      Bob Russell MP

                                      Charlotte Atkins MP                                                                     Chris Ruane MP

                                           Clive Betts MP                                                                                Dai Davies MP

                                        David Amess MP                                                                           David Drew MP

                                          Doug Naysmith MP                                                                     Philip Dunne MP

                                     Edward Timpson MP                                                                     Tom Brake MP

                                    Helen Goodman MP                                                                              Hugo Swire MP

                                    James Arbuthnot MP                                                                             Jim Dowd MP

                                             John Baron MP                                                                          John Leech MP

                                          John Pugh MP                                                                                   John Randall MP

                                       Kelvin Hopkins MP                                                                          Lorely Burt MP

                                    Madeleine Moon MP                                                                     Martin Horwood MP

                                         Meg Munn MP                                                                            Tim Loughton MP

                                         Neil Gerrard MP                                                                             Norman Lamb MP

                                             Philip Davies MP                                                                          Rob Wilson MP

                                          Russell Brown MP                                                                    Shona McIsaac MP

 John Butterfill MP                                                                         Sylvia Heal MP

2008-11-08 - Alan Johnson visited Silver Star Diabetes Centre

Health Secretary gives seal of approval to Diabetes Charity - 8th November

Health Secretary Alan Johnson MP visited Leicester on Saturday 8 November to review the progress made at the new Silver Star Diabetes Centre. This week on Friday 14 November, it is World Diabetes Day and the local charity is thrilled that the Health Secretary called in to look at the work being done at the Silver Star centre and to take a diabetes test. The premises on Uppingham Road were opened by Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan in August this year.

The charity was founded by Leicester East MP Rt Hon Keith Vaz in July 2007 after he discovered that he had type 2 diabetes. The Government currently spends a million pounds an hour on dealing with diabetes related illness.

Secretary of State for Health Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP said:
‘It is a pleasure to visit the Silver Star diabetes centre today, the centre provides an excellent service and is hugely important in the prevention of diabetes. It is vital that the health service focuses on the prevention of diabetes.'

‘I want to congratulate the Silver Star charity for the excellent work which they do.’
Dr Malde Modhwadia Chairman of Trustees said:   

 ”We are delighted the health secretary himself came to see our work. Only by proper screening we can deal with the real causes of diabetes and prevent them literally killing people”  

Keith Vaz MP said:
"It was great to have the Health Secretary here in Leicester at the Silver Star Diabetes Centre, it shows the government's commitment to the prevention of diabetes. I am pleased to say that Alan Johnson passed the diabetes test with flying colours!"

"It is vital that people take the test, then you will know whether you require treatment. In the long run it will save the NHS millions of pounds and will save lives."

23-08-2008 Opening of the Silver Star Diabetes Centre by Amitabh Bachchan

2008_10_19 - Leicester City Marathon

Vehicle chosen for Silver Star Appeal

The Silver Star Appeal has selected a vehicle to become the Mobile Diabetes Unit (MDU).

The vehicle is to come from Ford Sandcliffe motors. The Sandicliffe Group Commercial Sales Director, David Haynes, has said "Sandicliffe specialise in fitting vehicles to exacting specifications and are pleased to be working with The Silver Star Appeal in this very worthy cause."

The vehicle will be Silver Star Appeal's first mobile diabetes assessment unit and will be fitted out with a bed, sink, seating, and storage and will have disabled access.

It is hoped that the vehicle will be ready for a launch at the Diwali celebrations in November. Once the vehicle is launched it will travel round local community centres, doctor surgeries and work places offering free diabetes assessment test to those who want it.

Silver Star Appeal at the Asian Lifestyle Show

The Silver Star Appeal was at the Asian Lifestyle Show displaying the new prize for the current lottery draw – a brand new Ford ka.
In between the multitude of appearance by various Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, the Silver Star Appeal managed to raise both funds and awareness.

The draw for the raffle will be made on Sunday 28th October. For further information about where you can buy tickets for the draw just click on the tab on the top of the screen which says “raffle”.

Silver Star lottery draw

The Silver Star Lottery was drawn in style at a Gala Dinner in aid of the Silver Star Appeal.

Hundreds of people attended the event, which was held at The Athena on Rutland Street, in Leicester including a number of well known celebrities.

Tre Azam from the Apprentice, the England and Worcestershire cricketer Vikram Solanki and the Rt Hon Geoff Hoon, Minister for Europe, were all at the Athena to show their support for the Silver Star Appeal.

Before the evening £20,000, had been raised towards the cost of a Mobile Diabetes Assessment Unit.

The much anticipated drawing of the Silver Star Lottery was the focus of the evening's celebrations and there was a last minute rush in lottery sales as the guests thronged to buy their lottery tickets.

The 3 prizes in the Silver Star Lottery were a week's holiday in Ananda, a £1000 in cash and the much coveted first prize a brand new Honda Jazz donated by Francis Honda.

By the end of the evening over £15,000 had been raised which will all go towards the cost of Leicester’s own Mobile Diabetes Assessment Unit.

Coronation Street star supports Silver Star Appeal

The former Coronation Street and Dinner Ladies star, Shobna Gulati, visited Bestway cash and carry in Leicester. She came to raise awareness of the issue of diabetes, particularly in the Asian community, and to show her support for the Silver Star Appeal.

Cherie Blair attends Silver Star Tea Party

Cherie Blair QC was the Guest of Honour at the Silver Star Appeal Tea Party held in London.

Despite the poor weather the event was a great success and Mrs Blair was able to meet with a wide range of successful women from all walks of life; from the worlds of business through to sport and the professions.

Mrs Blair chatted to everybody in the room and then listened to a talk on the importance of diabetes testing form a practising GP Dr Hema Patel. Mrs Blair saw for herself how simple it is to do a diabetes test when Dr Patel did a test on the manager of the restaurant at the Crowne Plaza St James.

Mrs Blair gave a short address. She said she was "delighted to be able to support the work of the Silver Star Appeal."

She said that diabetes was an issue that she felt very strongly about and that it is vital that people get tested so the disease can be treated before life threatening complications arise."

Filbert gives a thumbs up to the Silver Star Car

The Silver Star Appeal was the special guest of Leicester City Football Club in May as the football season drew to a close.

Filbert the Fox, the Leicester City Mascot, spearheaded the fundraising appeals as he posed for photographs with the Silver Star Car which is the first prize in the Silver Star Lottery.

As the fans streamed into the Walker's Stadium to watch Leicester vs Norwich many stopped to admire Filbert and the Silver Star Car, a Honda Jazz donated by Francis Honda, and purchase their lottery tickets for just £1!

In partnership with LCFC the Silver Star Appeal was able to raise awareness of diabetes.

Rudolf Walker launches Silver Star Song competition

One of Britain's leading soap stars is encouraging children to back the Silver Star Appeal charity campaign. Rudolph Walker, who plays Patrick in EastEnders, was in Leicester recently to show his support for the Appeal.

The enthusiastic youngsters at Rushey Mead School bombarded Mr Walker with questions such as how he got into acting and indeed how old he was! Rudolph then launched the Silver Star Song Competition.

Year 8 pupil Hamdi Hassan said: "I couldn't believe it when he walked in. I was trying to get him to tell me what happens next on EastEnders, but he wouldn't.”

The competition encourages the pupils to write and perform a song, with the winners performing at a charity gala which could win their school £500.

The Silver Star Song Competition is part of the Silver Star for Schools initiative which aims to raise the importance of a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet in Leicester's schools.

Rudolph Walker said it was great to be in Leicester and with such an enthusiastic audience. He also praised the Silver Star Song Competition and that he thought everybody should enter.

Dionne Warwick launches Silver Star Car

Dionne Warwick, the international icon who has had hits in the charts since the 1960s including “Walk on By”, visited Francis Honda in Mountsorrel in February 2007 to launch the Silver Star Lottery.

She was in the UK only for three days.

She was greeted by Robin Francis and fans from all over Leicestershire to the tune of "Do you know the way to San Josa." She then went on to chat with fans and sign copies of her latest CDs that were raffled off in aid of the Silver Star Appeal.

It was then down to the main business of the evening when Dionne formally launched the Silver Star Car that is the first prize in the Silver Star Lottery. The car, a Honda Jazz was donated by Francis Honda who were also hosting the event.

Having flown in only hours before, Dionne said she was really pleased to be in Leicester and to be associated with the Silver Star Appeal.

She also said that diabetes was an issue that was close to her heart and that it was so important that people get themselves tested if they feel they might be at risk.

Everybody was thrilled that Dionne was able to come to Leicester to launch the Silver Star Car that is the first prize in the Silver Star Lottery.

Launch event with Esther Rantzen

TV star Esther Rantzen was in Leicester in January 2007 to launch the Silver Star Appeal

The Silver Start Appeal hopes to raise £50,000 to get a Mobile Assessment Centre up and running in the Leicester Area.
The money will go towards staffing and equipping a minibus so that it can start its important work of testing people for diabetes and high cholesterol in the in Leicester area. Once it is equipped the Mobile Assessment Centre will have the capacity to test thousands of people a year.

The Mobile Assessment Centre also promotes culturally sensitive health care within the south Asian and African-Caribbean groups where there is a high prevalence of diabetes.

Esther Rantzen, who opened St Gabriel's Community Centre 20 years ago said: "It is so important to keep ourselves healthy and if there is a problem we need to discover it as soon as possible. Diabetes can be extremely serious.

"It is so important to keep ourselves healthy and if there is a problem we need to discover it as soon as possible. Diabetes can be extremely serious."