Page 2 - link magazine

2 swindonlink.com • April 2009
From Delhi orphanage to tea with Foreign Minister, via Swindon

As a four day old baby, Ali McCallum was found in a basket outside an Indian children’s home. Now aware of his background and grateful
for the gift of life he is dedicated to raising money to support its work.
Ali was suffering surprised to be invited to the Indian
from pneumonia High Commission in London to
when he arrived personally hand over his latest
at the Delhi Coun- donation to Indian Foreign Minister
cil for Child Wel- Shivshankar Menon.
fare home, Palna. The president of the Palna home,
His prospective Mrs Neena Macedo, recently wrote
adoptive parents to thank Ali for his annual dona-
Neil and Kauser tions which she described as a
McCallum from Godsend to be spent on meeting
Swindon fi rst met the cost of vaccines and a new
him when he was roof for the orphanage before the
four months old rains come.
but had to return to When he started helping Palna
the UK while wait- Ali received a lot of encouragement
ing for the adop- from his former Lawn Primary
tion process to be School headteacher Chris Brown. Ali talking to the Indian Foreign
completed. He said, “when I went to see him Minister about Palna in January
By the time they a few weeks ago, he said he was think it’s so terrible and think they
returned to col- looking forward to me raising a can’t do anything. But you can make
Ali at Palna, with a basket used by mothers who want to
lect Ali, he was leave babies for adoption million pounds; it was a big boost a difference in a small way and it’s
recovering from for me.” important to do something good.
contracting typhoid and though Now a healthy, bright 12 year old, After the Oscar success of Slum- It’s a wonderful country and I’m
very weak, doctors at Palna reas- Ali is determined to raise money dog Millionaire Ali is conscious of the very proud to come from there.”
sured his new parents that all he to help others. He said his quest increased awareness of conditions • If the name Palna is familiar, it
needed was TLC. started on a return visit to Palna in India for the poorest children, was featured on TVs Groundforce
After his shaky start in life, it in 2006 with his family. “I wanted but he’s clear that he is making in 1981 when Alan Titchmarsh,
took time and intensive therapy to to go and see where I started life. a practical contribution. “Many Charlie Dimmock and Tommy Walsh
build up Ali’s strength. His older The staff told me that they were people see pictures of India and coordinated a garden makeover.
sister Zahra also helped and spent doing really well but always need
hours stimulating his senses and money for better care. So I decided Help Ali raise money for Palna at a charity curry night
doing exercises with him. He fi rst to help. It’s my way of helping a few on 7 April at the Bombay Lounge, Peatmoor.
rolled over aged 22 months, started children have a better life.” Call 887799 to book a table. To take part in his
walking aged two and only began Ali has raised £3,000 over the past fun quiz, arrive by 7pm to enjoy the meal beforehand
talking well into his third year. three years and in January he was

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