Dickie Bird M.B.E., the Yorkshire celebrity and former cricket umpire, yesterday made a young boy very happy by giving him some much needed cricket equipment at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club ground in Headingley.
Surbir Sajdewa, aged 14, who now lives in Bradford, only arrived in the UK two years ago with his parents, two sisters and one brother. Surbir is a Hindu, which meant he and his family had to flee their home country of Afghanistan due to religious persecution. He is a keen cricketer and played the game in his home country, even though it was only a minority sport.

Surbir was given his new cricket equipment in a special presentation attended by Dickie Bird, Yorkshire and England cricketer Chris Silverwood and David Byas, Director of Cricket at The Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The Foundation provided him with some new cricket whites, boots, gloves, pads, a new bat, a helmet, six balls and a cricket bag.
Chris Silverwood has also kindly offered Surbir some personal cricket lessons to help improve his skills as an all round cricketer.

David Byas, Director of Cricket at The Yorkshire County Cricket Club said, “The Club are delighted to be able to support the Dickie Bird Foundation which in this instance is supporting Surbir Sajdewa with equipment and 2 weeks of personal cricket lessons”.

The Dickie Bird Foundation, which is sponsored by Energy Plus UK Ltd., was created by Dickie to help children and young people under the age of 18 from less privileged backgrounds, take part and compete in the sport of their choice, to the best of their ability.
Dickie set up the Foundation using his own money and intends to fund the charity by raising money through charity dinners across Britain and by auctioning some of his sporting memorabilia he has collected through his long career.

Dickie commented: “This grant really helps to show why we set up the Dickie Bird Foundation. It’s all about supporting youngsters from less privileged backgrounds with ambition and commitment and giving them their chance to succeed.”

The Dickie Bird Foundation is always looking for financial help, no matter how small the donation. People wishing to make a donation or apply for a grant, can contact the Foundation directly by phone on 01943 873482. Alternatively, people with internet access can download the application pack online by logging onto: www.thedickiebirdfoundation.org.