Reference :
V-P-GB-E-00001
Date :
09/04/2008
Caption :
Manchester. Cristiano Ronaldo makes donation to Afghan mine victims on behalf of UEFA.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
Cristiano Ronaldo was presented with a cheque for CHF100,000 (€63,100) by UEFA for the Score for the Red Cross charitable campaign prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg between Manchester United FC and AS Roma at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo is the Ambassador for the campaign, which is jointly organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UEFA. The cheque and other funds raised though the on-line game will go towards helping the victims of landmines in Afghanistan recover from their injuries. Around 60 people are killed or maimed by landmines and other unexploded remnants of war in Afghanistan every month.
"Landmine victims need determination and a lot of encouragement on the road to recovery," Ronaldo said. "I have a lot of respect for them and I want to support them."
According to Doris Pfister, the ICRC's director of resources and operational support, Ronaldo's involvement in the campaign will offer hope to children around the world. "It is crucial," she said. "I have seen several countries where there are wars and conflicts and I have met a lot of youngsters in very difficult situations and all of them in a way like football and for them, somebody like Ronaldo is a dream.
They would like to become like him, a big football star, but in difficult situations someone like him also gives hope. For us it is really fantastic to have such a personality involved."
UEFA communications director William Gaillard believes Ronaldo is setting an example for others to follow. "I think having one of the most popular football players in the world, and someone so young, involved in this humanitarian campaign. It is a real call for young people all over Europe to support the campaign and at the same time encourage their teams to score as many goals as possible for the Red Cross. It is great to have someone so talented and charismatic involved in such a worthy campaign."
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
3504x2336
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
