Supporters from across the City thronged to Stationer's Hall in St.Paul's on Wednesday night to watch Manchester United take on Chelsea on the big screen in what turned out to be a thrilling match.

Magic Bus is an official charity partner of the Premier League and the night was organised to raise funds and awareness for the work that it carries out.

Sporting attendees included: Mahesh Buphati, Devon Malcolm, Rohan Bopanna, Claire Taylor and Colin Croft. Peter Snow and Dan Snow were also in attendance along with companies including Deutsche Bank, Tata and PWC from the City's Square Mile.

engage children

"There was a more serious message to the night," said Matthew Spacie, Magic Bus founder and Chief Executive.

"Screening the final provided Magic Bus with an opportunity to highlight the importance of sport in the personal and social development of children worldwide, including that of street and slum children in India.

"Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Premier League, England and Wales Cricket Board, Coca-Cola and our food and drink partners, every penny raised through ticket sales is going directly towards our work."

Over £11,500 was raised on the night. Magic Bus supports the development of thousands of children living in the streets and slums of Mumbai - children living in some of the poorest and most difficult conditions in the world. Since 1999 it has reached out to over 20,000 children and is currently expanding its work across India in partnership with UNICEF.

The charity uses sport as a means to engage children living in the streets and slums, to build their self esteem and confidence, and develop vital life skills, health, hygiene and gender messages.

Magic Bus uses positive role models to empower youth in India to realise they have the potential to change their own communities.

Last year, Gordon Brown, Britain's Prime Minister visited Magic Bus while on a visit to India and the England Cricket Team have also spent time at the Magic Bus programme in Mumbai.

Every week thousands of girls and boys, living in some of the most deprived and marginalised circumstances in the Mumbai, attend the Magic Bus sessions and a growing team of youth and former recipients of the programme mentor the children through their childhood.

The organisation currently works with 4,000 children and delivers weekly sports sessions close to the children's homes and residential camps at the Magic Bus Centre for Learning & Development, two hours outside Mumbai.

To find out more about Magic Bus visit www.magicbusindia.org