Updated News Around the World

Andy Murray recognised for Ukraine donation

Andy Murray playing in Madrid 2017.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Andy Murray was named as the 2022 Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award recipient in recognition of his support for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of its neighbour, with the former world number one raising nearly $1 million.

Briton Murray, a three-times Grand Slam champion, said in March he would donate all his prize money won from tournaments in the year towards aid efforts for children affected by the war, which Russia has called a “special military operation”.

“Houses were bombed and families were displaced,” Murray said.

“Young children were affected by this, with many injured and in some cases dying. I wasn’t sure what I could do to help.

“I decided that from Indian Wells onwards, I would donate my prize money for the rest of the season to UNICEF’s humanitarian response — the final total was just over $993,000.

“It seemed like something that would give me some extra motivation this year. I thought I could also raise awareness and hopefully get others involved in helping, too.”

Murray’s individual total falls just below a joint donation of $1,103,000 made by the ATP, WTA, ITF as well as the four Grand Slams earlier this year. Former world number one Roger Federer had also donated $788,000.

“There are 7.5 million children in Ukraine and after more than nine months of increased conflict, 5.2 million of them are in need of assistance,” Murray said.

“When you see images of children on the news who were impacted… that makes it even more difficult to stomach. I have four young children who are fortunate everything is fine with them… But being a parent, it affects you differently.”

Tatyana Fannouch, a UNICEF Programme Specialist said from Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine, that Murray’s donation meant they could provided medical supplies and services to children including those who fled their homes for safety.

“We’ve reached vulnerable families in hard-to-reach areas with life-saving supplies and protection services. For all this support that you (Murray) provided for the children of Ukraine, thank you,” Fannouch said.

-Reuters

For all the latest Sports News Click Here 

 For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News

Read original article here

Denial of responsibility! NewsUpdate is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.