Cristiano Ronaldo's donation to 'Save the Children' to support Syrian children
The Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has made a donation to the children's defense organization 'Save the Children' to support children and families affected by the war in Syria.
The player joined the cause with a message on his social media, accompanied by a video in which he defended that, although he is a globally known footballer, the children of Syria are the "real heroes".
"This is for the children of Syria. We know you have been suffering a lot. I am a very famous player, but you are the real heroes. Do not lose hope. The world is with you. You matter to us. I am with you," says the Portuguese in the video.
The "generous donation," the amount of which will not be disclosed at the player's request - considering it to be something private and that what matters is the gesture and not the amount - will be used by 'Save the Children' to provide food, clothing, emergency medical care, and psychological support to children and families who have been living in a war-torn country for over five years, the organization reported in a statement.
In addition, the player encouraged his followers to post messages of support and hope for Syrian children on social media, as well as contribute to the cause of 'Save the Children'.
"Cristiano Ronaldo's generous donation will help us support children in Aleppo and throughout Syria, who have experienced things that a child should never experience. We are tremendously grateful for his support, which will change the lives of many," said Save the Children's director for northwest Syria, Nick Finney.
Finney stated that Ronaldo is not only one of the most iconic figures in the sports world, but he has also become "a ray of hope for millions of boys and girls around the world."
"Hope is something that Syrian children need now more than ever," Finney considered.
'Save the Children' maintains dozens of schools and medical centers in Syria, where more than 7.5 million children have been affected by the conflict in the country.
"After the most intense violence and brutal siege we have seen in the Syrian conflict, families urgently need our help," Finney noted.
This is not the first time that Ronaldo, a global ambassador for 'Save the Children' since 2013, has used his voice to draw attention to the conflict in Syria.
In March, the Portuguese player already posted an image on his social media in which he appeared with his son, Cristiano Jr., holding a photograph of a five-year-old Syrian refugee to raise awareness among his followers.
Ronaldo has also made other donations in the past for different charitable causes, such as the brain surgery of a ten-year-old child or breast cancer treatment, a disease he is very aware of because his mother, Dolores Aveiro, suffered from it in the past.