Aishwarya, Abhishek to support diabetes charity in London

Bollywood couple Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan are set to throw their weight behind a diabetes charity here, attending the 25th anniversary celebrations of Britain's longest serving MP of Indian origin, Keith Vaz.

The pair will attend a dinner in support of the Leicester-based charity Silver Star and raise funds for the fourth mobile diabetes unit to be based in Mumbai.

The unit is to be named after Amitabh Bachchan, the charity's international patron, and handed over to him on his birthday October 11 this year. The charity was founded by Vaz who himself has type 2 diabetes.

Vaz decided that his 25th anniversary would be dedicated to the cause of diabetes which is a growing global epidemic. 3.4 million people in the UK suffer from diabetes and 24,000 people die prematurely each year from related causes.

In India, over 61 million people have the condition. Last year, 983,000 people died from related complications. By 2030, it is estimated that over 100 million Indians will have the disease.

"I am very excited to be hosting Bollywood's power couple Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan for such a special occasion. I am delighted that the Bachchan family are part of such a worthwhile cause," said Vaz.

"As a type-2 diabetic, the mission of Silver Star is very close to my heart. Raising awareness of the condition is of vital importance, as 8 out of 10 cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented with the right lifestyle and care.

"I can think of no better way to mark my 25 years in Parliament, than by helping our community tackle the diabetes epidemic," he added.

Music at the dinner will be provided by Raghu Dixit and Preeya Kaalidas. Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP will deliver the keynote speech.

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