Basketball meets brake horsepower with NASSA charity event

Newham charity NASSA (Newham All Stars Sports Academy) - one of five supported by Excel London - enjoyed a special treat recently as it was visited by a Formula E and driver Sam Bird.

British driver Bird, who races for the TCS Jaguar Racing team, made a surprise appearance during NASSA's children's summer camp held at the University of East London. 

The event was in conjunction with Formula E who race at Excel on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July on the world's only indoor/outdoor circuit, and aimed to raise awareness of their work in the local community. 

Race driver Bird enjoyed shooting some hoops with the players, including Anthony Okereafor - who founded NASSA together with Natasha Hart MBE - and his brother Teddy who plays Point Guard for the Team GB Basketball team. 

The day also saw the youngsters able to get up close with Bird's actual Formula E car which can travel at speeds exceeding 200kph. 

NASSA - which was founded more 15 years ago - uses the power of sport (basketball) to help young people improve their lives and to date has helped more 100,000 youngsters. 

Excel has supported NASSA for many years and is one of five local projects it backs in and around Newham as part of its wider ESG strategy. 

You can watch more about what went on by clicking here