World's sports stars unite for Haiti
Roger Federer arranged a series of exhibition games ahead of the Australian Open
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Tuesday, 19, Jan 2010 08:10
By Michael Younger.
We are forever reading in the British press about how much our sports stars are earning per week, how their contract negations have broken down due to pay, but we never read about the work they do outside of sport. To help those who are in desperate need of support.
inthenews.co.uk wishes to readdress the balance, by highlight five of the fundraising efforts which the sports world are going through, in an effort to raise funds for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, which devastated the country last Tuesday.
Roger Federer
The World Number One arranged a series of exhibition games ahead of the Australian Open, and Federer, was joined by Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams on Sunday at a packed Rod Laver Arena.
The Swiss star said after the event: "was following it on TV and saw the devastation and I thought we should do something.
"It was a lot of fun. It's a great thing and I'm happy the players were also in such good spirits."
Just 24 hours before the start of the first major tournament of the season, many of the world's top tennis players sacrificed last-minute training to help provide some funds for the victims of the tragedy. With players wearing microphones, Federer, who lost to Spain's world number two Nadal in last year's Australian Open final, teamed up with reigning Australian Open champion Serena Williams, along with Hewitt and Samantha Stosur.
Spectators were charged A$10 (£5.60) to see a number of doubles matches, which also included Belgium's US Open champion Kim Clijsters, Australian Lleyton Hewitt, American Andy Roddick and world number three Novak Djokovic.
More than A$200,000 (£114,000) was raised in the event called 'Hit for Haiti'.
"It was a fun afternoon for all of us. But most important is that we can help Haiti," Federer told the showpiece centre court crowd.
West Brom
West Bromwich Albion showed support for the earthquake aid effort by wearing 'DEC Haiti Appeal' logos on their shirts during Monday's thrilling top-of-the-table clash at Newcastle.
The Baggies were able to support DEC's aid work thanks to the match-by-match shirt sponsorship deals they are offering to businesses and organisations because of the lack of a permanent sponsor.
Baggies Chairman, Jeremy Peace, told the clubs website: "Everyone at the Club has been saddened by the terrible tragedy unfolding in Haiti.
"The images we've witnessed in the media are deeply upsetting and the number of people affected is difficult to comprehend.
"Therefore, we felt we were in a perfect position to utilise the flexible nature of our shirt sponsorship and react immediately to help raise money for the people of Haiti who have been affected by the earthquake.
"Additionally, we will be auctioning off Monday's match shirts and the proceeds, together with a further donation, will go to the DEC Haiti Appeal."
Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and former center Alonzo Mourning generated more than $800,000 in aid for earthquake victims in Haiti.
Wade and Mourning, who co-founded the ``Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti,'' announced Monday that nearly $1 million in pledges had been raised since Friday from their group of NBA and NFL players.
Among the athletes who have contributed to the fund are LeBron James, Chris Paul, Gilbert Arenas, Michael Beasley, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and Michael Vick.
``I expected nothing less from my friends and colleagues in the sports community,'' said Wade, who turned 28 on Sunday and donated $175,000 to Haiti relief. ``Our commitment to this cause knows no bounds.''
Mourning, who donated $100,000, plans to return to Haiti on Tuesday.
``I have seen their work in action,'' Mourning said of the relief efforts. ``The response from our colleagues has been overwhelming.''
Kaka and Zidane
Brazilian midfielder Kaka and retired soccer star Zinedine Zidane are to play an exhibition game in Lisbon on Jan. 25 to raise money for earthquake-hit Haiti.
The Match Against Poverty is being organized by the United Nations Development Programme and Portuguese club Benfica, which will host the game at its Stadium of Light.
Benfica announced Monday that Real Madrid's Kaka will line up with former Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved and Spain's Fernando Hierro against a team of Benfica All Stars.
Serena Williams
Williams has turned her punishment into a charitable opportunity by launching an online auction of her personal clothing and memorabilia in order to raise $92,000 for Haiti earthquake victims, as well as schools and charities.
The target equals Williams total fine for her profanity-laced outburst at a lineswoman during her semifinal loss to Kim Clijsters at the U.S. Open in September.
"The purpose of the mission is to turn a negative into a positive by educating and helping women, men and children so that they have a fighting chance," Williams writes on the Web site of her charity, the Serena Williams Foundation.
Williams' eBay auction began Monday with items including an autographed pair of sneakers that she wore in her championship run at the Australian Open last year, her 2008 Olympic team dress and a Phoenix Suns jersey signed by Steve Nash.
She announced the auction in December, shortly after she was fined a record $82,500 by the Grand Slam tournament for her profanity-laced outburst at a lineswoman during her semifinal loss to Kim Clijsters at the U.S. Open in September. She also paid a $10,000 penalty to the U.S. Tennis Association.
Williams said the idea for the auction came after the International Tennis Federation denied her request to donate some of her fine to charity.
The auction will run for 92 days, with new items up for sale each week, with the proceeds were originally designated for schools in the United States and Africa, but Williams decided last week to direct some of the money to victims of Haiti's devastating earthquake.
You
You can do your bit to, by making a donation to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal can either online at www.dec.org.uk, by post, making a cheque payable to 'DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal' and mailing to 'PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA'. Donations can also be made at any high street bank, or at a Post Office, by quoting Freepay 1449.
Text 'GIVE' to 70077 to donate £5 to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal (£5 goes to the DEC. You pay £5 plus the standard network SMS rate).