Giant soldier of the French revolution
From Willem to the English plateau
Years after being released by the Toon
To partner the giant Swiss Henchoz

The Kop and the faithful recognized an icon
Le boss Houllier’s new lynchpin
One recommended by a cameraman
Anfield at once embraced the big Finn

Mirror image of the towering Ron Yeats
For 10 years Sami shook the Kop
Assured in the pantheon of legends
Part of the Reds sure rise to the top

Made history for Rafa’s rearguard
Carra his defensive bro
Record shut-out against Saprissa.
Beating Dalglish’s ten in a row

Whilst serving his boyhood heroes
Seven times Finland’s premier player
Momentary parting for he will return
Bootroom waits for the Nordic Mayor

Number 7
© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Join Lee Jasper on RealTalk

Hosted by one of the most controversial black men in London politics, Lee Jasper will be discussing real life issues about young people, with young people.

He will also be joined on a weekly basis by very special guests and experts, and together, they will be challenging the current perceptions, ideas and behaviour of young people, as well as those of organisations and institutions directly working with and affecting YOUR generation.

Lee will be addressing dilemmas you face on a daily basis; both serious and light-hearted. Whether it be personal, relationship based, as well as bigger, community effecting issues.

As you probably heard on the first show, Lee will be exploring these dilemmas with a very honest approach, and will not be afraid to discuss facts and talk about issues as they are!

Already, after only hosting one show, response has been phenomenal, and we are glad to hear that you enjoy this new addition to our daytime schedule. Thanks to all those that phoned in yesterday, and made the first Real Talk, so interesting to listen to… keeping it REAL!

Real Talk is an honest, dynamic and hard-hitting talk show, produced specifically for and delivered to young people aged 16 - 24.

www.bangradio.fm

Help support the Whitechapel Mission

A lot of you always support me with charitable endeavours, and I'm still counting on you.

Whitechapel Mission is 'family'. The Mission provides a safe, informal, friendly, hassle-free place where people can come and find warmth and shelter, without being moved on by a policeman or angry shopkeepers, or kicked, sworn at and spat upon by passers-by. The centre promotes the concept of being part of the Mission and taking ownership of the Mission. Any and all who come are welcome. There are no forms to be filled in, no interviews, no interrogations. No personal records are kept. Whitechapel Mission is an inclusion centre rather than an exclusion centre.

I'm looking to raise a little to help those that are less fortunate. If you can't join me on the run, support me.

So please forward to your contacts & sponsor me now!

Please click here and donate - any amount (even a few quid is welcome)

Don't forget to leave a message for me :)

http://www.justgiving.com/emdadrahman

www.whitechapel.org.uk

Gaza 100 World record - Here's one I pinched earlier

Basking in the midnight world record glory, I was driving past the scene of the triumph for Gaza (Mile End stadium)when I spotted a keepsake still attached to the gates. Naturally, I parked, wrenched it off, and before you could say Cack Jobinson, had legged it. This is like a pioece of turf from the Old Wembley stadium, or a seat from the Old Kop or the Highbury North Bank - Apologies in advance to Ruhul and the team at IF, along with my pal Abdal Robocop Ullah's CCTV basement boys at the Town Hall...

Usain bolt has got nothing on me - Gaza 100 World Record Run

London runs straight into the record books!

On Saturday, 23rd May 2009, a spectacular new world record was set in London.

1,675 participants excceding all expectations took part in Gaza 100: World Record Run, a 12-hour relay for the most people running 100 meters in a 12-hour relay.(Guinness book of records official title).

The event, which took place in Mile End Stadium in East London, was organised by the IF charity, with funds going to Save the Children�s Gaza Appeal, which provides humanitarian aid for children in Gaza.

Politicians and celebrities joined thousands of people, who came from across the UK to take part in the world record bid and to show their support.

Jim Fitzpatrick MP, opened the event by being the first runner to start the relay at 12pm, followed by Baroness Pola Uddin. Jeremy Corbyn MP also took part in the event, along with the Deputy Leader for Tower Hamlets, Josh Peck.

Former stars from the hit TV show, The Apprentice - Tre Azam, Ghazal Asif and Syed Ahmed- also took part in the relay. Tre said; "This was a fantastic way of coming together as a community in a non offensive way, to highlight a really worthy cause."

"Very well organised, good cause and alot of people turned up for a fun event" - said Alex, one of the Guinness World Records adjudicators.

Rizwan Khaliq, CEO of IF charity, said; "Today is a very significant and historical day. A huge amount of money has been raised to go towards providing education and health care for the many children in Gaza - who have lost their homes and loved ones."

This was a huge challenge, and to achieve this world record right here in the heart of Londons East End where, in four years time, we will host the biggest sporting event in the world. The 2012 Games is a fantastic achievement for London and the UK.

As well as the main relay, the family orientated event included a Gaza 100 football cup tournament, hosted by the London Tigers. Other attractions included a youth stage with a range of artists and comedians performing live; such as Abdullah Rolle, Mecca 2 Medina, Khaleel Muhammed and Jeff Mirza. There were food stalls and childrens entertainment.

Please note: The whole event was streamed live on ISLAM CHANNEL.(SKY Channel 813).

For further information or media imagery please visit: www.ifcharity.com/gaza100.html

What is IF?

IF is a UK registered charity that began life as an aspiration at the heart of which is an understanding that enormous good can be done:

IF people seek to overcome limitations
IF they become a little less serious and
IF they begin to work together
Sweeping aside all IFs and Buts to achieve something amazing to help others.

Consisting of inspired, creative and energy-rich individuals with a talent and flair for the unusual, we specialise in executing fundraising campaigns for the charitable sector.

The aim is to work closely with a wide range of charitable organisations, linking them with business and media partners so as to compliment their work, support their efforts and to raise lots of money, transforming lives for the better!

For further information about IF chgarity and the event itself please visit www.ifcharity.com

For all media enquiries, please contact Ruhul Tarafder at ruhul@ifcharity.com or on 0208 963 9266/07956 398739
For all media enquiries, please contact Ruhul Tarafder at ruhul@ifcharity.com or on 0208 963 9266/07956 398739

Gaza 100

There are still places available for this world record attempt to raise money for the people of Gaza.

To register please visit the website and REGISTER






















http://ifcharity.com/gazarun_sponsorship.html

Sketch me please :)

Cheers Fatima :)

Hawk hunting Bday treat from Bruv :)

What a fantastic experience :)

Gaza 100 & IF Charity run - Your chance to make history!

Just 400 more runners required to set a world record. Let your feet do the talking. Your chance to make history - http://www.ifcharity.com/

Most People Running 100 Metres in a 12 hour Relay Guinness Book of Records Official Title

Date: Saturday 23rd May and Sunday 24th May 2009
Time: 12 noon to 12 noon
Venue: Mile End Stadium

IF, in association with London Tigers and MDUK, is looking for thousands of fun-loving participants to take part in one of two spectacular record breaking attempts on May 23rd 2009.
The first is to break the Guinness World Record for “the most people running 100 meters in a 24-hour relay. (Guinness book of records official title).

The second is to set the record for “the most people running 100 metres in a 12-hour relay.” (Guinness book of records official title).

Depending on the number of participants registered two weeks before the event, the IF team will decide on which record to go for.

The aim is to raise as much money as possible for the children of Gaza and IF need your help and assistance to achieve this truly amazing ‘feet’!

Each participant will hopefully raise a minimum sponsorship of £100, although any amount is welcome (little or more). All monies generated from this World Record Run will be given as humanitarian aid to Save the Children’s Gaza Appeal.

Celebrities that have already agreed to participate in the run, include Tre Azam, and Ghazal Asif from BBC1’s hit show, the Apprentice, comedian Jeff Mirza, boxer Anthony Small and Baroness Pola Uddin.

Please note, neither IF nor Save the Children will be taking an administration fee from the money raised.

100 metres, £100, 100% for the children of Gaza!
This event is supported by Visit London, Gazelle Media and Life of This World Productions.

Please note, neither IF nor Save the Children will be taking an administration fee from the money raised.
100 metres, £100, 100% for the children of Gaza!
This event is supported by Visit London, Gazelle Media and Life of This World Productions.

Youtube.

Sri Lanka - 200,000 Internally Displaced, 50,000 caught up in war zone

Small Island, Big Humanitarian Crisis

“This is a humanitarian crisis of huge proportion. Over the last week, at least 20 people have died due to starvation and lack of medication. What's making matters worse is that there are no morgue or transport facilities- dead bodies are just lying under trees. There's also a lack of water, as Vavunia - a naturally water-scarce area - is facing growing shortages as a result of the surrounding jungle being cut down to house displaced people.” reports Amjad Mohamed-Saleem, Country Director for Muslim Aid Sri Lanka Field Office.

Since February 2008, fighting between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LLTE, also known as the Tamil Tigers) and the Sri Lankan government has reached a climax leaving 200,000 people stranded in refugee camps as they attempt to flee the fighting. It is believed that some 50,000 people are still caught up in the war zone.

The 26-year old insurgency which has killed over 70,000 people and injured thousands more, has uprooted communities from their homes and forced them to take refuge in the more densely populated areas of Vavunia, Jaffna and Trincomalee, that are unable to cope with the huge influx of internally displaced people (IDPs).

In Vavunia, 53,000 people have arrived since Sunday May 03 2009; the overwhelming numbers of injured and malnourished are putting pressure on hospitals and medical facilities due to poor infrastructure and inadequate resources.

In the camps, thousands are without access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities increasing the threat of illness from waterborne diseases. Children, who make up about 30% of the displaced population, are especially at risk from chicken pox, ring worms and diarrhea due to dehydration and contaminated water supplies.
Muslim Aid has allocated £55,000 to provide emergency relief to the people of Sri Lanka. Since February this year, with the help of local partners, Muslim Aid Sri Lanka Field Office has provided 100 hospital beds to overcrowded hospitals as well as ambulances and basic medical supplies. The organisation has also provided an inflatable mobile field hospital in Vavunia refugee camp and is currently waiting for water purification equipment and water purification tablets to enter the region. Each water purification system can supply 144,000 litres of water per day and each tablet can purify up to a litre of water.

With the situation likely to deteriorate and thousands more people expected to arrive in refugee camps in the next month , Muslim Aid is also calling upon local partners and international NGOs to collaborate and share expertise to ensure that the work on the ground is as effective as possible.

“The situation is very desperate and the logistics of an operation like this can be very challenging. What is needed is for all agencies to work together to ensure that aid goes to the beneficiary as efficiently and effectively as possible. The need of the hour is partnership” said Amjad Saleem.

www.muslimaid.org

Pic: (c) E Rahman

The sad face of Britain!

"Do us a favour Guvnor," he reached out and requested as I took the initial snap. "I'll turn the other way, and if you don't mind please leave out my mug - I'm already an embarassment to more people than I'd care to mention."

I came across this sight yesterday on the grassy hill on the corner of Vallance Road and Jack the Ripper's Old Montague Street hangout. It was a very sad scene. "Paul," a Gulf war 1 veteran is the first time I've seen an individual (armed forces member) chewed up and spitted out by the system. This is a man that bled for the flag, for Queen and country. Feted as the "best of the best" whilst fighting on foreign soil, Paul has been abandoned by a system, that is heading for self indulgent meltdown and destruction. A system that indulges the feckless and penalises the grafters. A system in a country with one of the best economies in the world - which if true leads me to ask why so many Brits are emigrating to New Zealand and the land of the baa baas?

"I may be struggling with sky high water bills ( we live on an Island and get charged for water?), utility bills, but at least I have a roof over my head", I remember thinking as I trudged off.

Locks off!

Just shaved my Samsom locks this morning after a year of length, length and length. Woke up on Bank Holiday to see Delilah brandishing a pair of garden shears! (Gulp. Anyway, I got the trimmer out and 5 minutes later had a pile of gorgeous jet black hair nestling in front of me. And no, I didn't feel any regret, though my ability to push start the car seems a little diminished :)!

London FA Ref

I'm delighted to say that I have passed the course and am now a fully-qualified Level 7 (Junior) Referee. Here's my badge provided by my tutor Allan Hill.