Soccer’s Helping Hand: Sergio Ramos to Present Check to International Committee of the Red Cross
Sergio Ramos will present a check to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday prior to Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League matchup versus Napoli. The donation from UEFA comes as the organization recognizes its ten-year commitment for changing the lives of individuals in Afghanistan.
Soccer News: Soccer is the world’s beautiful game, one that unites people of all countries, races, economic backgrounds and religions. It is only fitting that soccer organizations stepped up to help others in need when they can and UEFA is setting a great example this week.
UEFA will celebrate a decade of donating to Afghan landmine victims on Wednesday, when Real Madrid CF defender Sergio Ramos presents a check for €100,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
“The people benefiting from the ICRC programme in Afghanistan are an inspiration to us, as they set an example of how to approach life in a positive manner despite the problems that they face,” said Ramos.
“I would like to pay tribute to the ICRC, who have been working relentlessly to help landmine victims, many of whom are children. Their program in Afghanistan, which has been in place for several years, shows that football can offer real hope in challenging times,” said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.
“I am glad that UEFA can help this cause, and that the sport we love can have a positive impact on the rehabilitation process of so many people in this troubled region,” he added.
The donation supports the ICRC’s physical rehabilitation program for landmine victims and other individuals with disabilities in Afghanistan – providing artificial limbs, physiotherapy, vocational training and access to the rehabilitation centre’s soccer team. About a third of patients are children.
Ramos will present the donation before his club’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg game versus SSC Napoli at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid on February 15th.
Ramos was selected to hand over the check after receiving the most votes in UEFA.com’s Team of the Year, which was published in January.
“They don’t stop dreaming, and they fight to make their dreams come true. As key figures in this sport, it’s a true privilege for us footballers to be a source of motivation in their day-to-day lives, and to help them out,” Ramos said.
Photo Credit: UEFA
