Andy Murray has been honoured in recognition of him donating the lion’s share of his official prize cash this 12 months to aid efforts in Ukraine.
The 35 year-old Scot was at present given the ATP Tour’s Arthur Ashe Humanitarian award after pledging greater than £500,000 in the direction of the UNICEF fund.
In mid-March Murray introduced that for the remainder of 2022 all his purses from event play would go in the direction of the charity supporting kids within the war-torn nation.
Andy Murray has been given the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian award after donating greater than £500,000 of his prize cash this 12 months to the Ukraine struggle aid
Murray hopes the donation will assist 5.2m kids in Ukraine get the help they want
The twice Wimbledon champion, who has been getting ready for the approaching season, acted after seeing the traumatic photos ensuing from Russia’s invasion.
‘When all the pictures on the information exhibiting what was occurring to households started pouring in, it was devastating,’ mentioned Murray. ‘ Homes had been bombed and households had been displaced. Younger kids had been affected by this, with many injured and in some instances dying. I wasn’t certain what I might do to assist.
‘Shortly after I made a decision that from Indian Wells onwards, I’d donate my prize cash for the remainder of the season to UNICEF’s humanitarian response – the ultimate complete was simply over $630,000 (£512,000). It appeared like one thing that will give me some additional motivation this 12 months. I assumed I might additionally increase some consciousness and hopefully get others concerned in serving to, too.
Murray mentioned the worrying pictures circulating on-line compelled him to take motion himself
‘There are 7.5 million kids in Ukraine and after greater than 9 months of elevated battle, 5.2 million of them are in want of help. UNICEF is working across the clock to maintain kids secure by guaranteeing little one well being and safety companies are sustained, important provides are delivered to households and that kids have clear water and nutritious meals.
‘Whenever you see pictures of kids on the information who had been impacted by issues like this, that makes it much more tough to abdomen. I’ve 4 younger kids who’re actually lucky that all the things is ok with them.
‘However being a mum or dad, it impacts you in another way. You attempt to put your self of their sneakers. If one thing like that occurred with your individual household, how tough would that be? It’s laborious to fathom.
The three-time Grand Slam winner insists there are greater issues than sport to fret about
‘I feel in conditions like these you will need to be empathetic and do what you’ll be able to to assist others. After I was youthful, in my early 20s, I didn’t actually take into consideration the rest besides my tennis. As you begin to become old and possibly mature somewhat bit, you realise there are issues which might be extra necessary than sport.
‘In 2014, I grew to become a UNICEF UK Ambassador, the rationale to do the appropriate factor is just not for an accolade like this, however it’s good that it’s appreciated someplace.’
Murray is now again from a coaching stint in Florida with Ivan Lendl, and can journey to Australia straight after Christmas for the brand new season.
Previous to that he’s enjoying for Scotland within the ‘Battle of the Brits’ match in opposition to England, in Aberdeen on December 21 and 22.
