Donating Year-round Tournament Awards For Victims Of The Ukrainian War, Andy Murray Gets Special Awards

Andy Murray (Instagram.com/@andymurray)

JAKARTA - Tennis player Andy Murray received a special award for the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award 2022 on Thursday. The award was given to Murray for his dedication to humanity.

Quoted from The Sun, Friday, Murray is reported to have donated up to more than US$630 thousand (Rp9.8 billion). He gave the total to war victims in Ukraine due to the Russian military invasion.

In March, Murray had stated that all the prizes he received from the entire 2022 tournament would be donated. That's to help children affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

The houses were bombed and the families displaced," Murray said in a statement.

"Children were affected, with many injured and in some cases dying. I'm not sure what I can do to help."

"I decided that from Indian Wells onwards, I will donate my prize money for the rest of the season to UNICEF's humanitarian response."

"The commitment will give me extra motivation this year. I think I can also raise awareness and hopefully involve others to help too," he added.

The total amount of prize money that Murray donated to war victims in Ukraine is in fact not much different from the amount that has been collected by the world tennis body: ATP, WTA, ITF and the organizers of the four Grand Slams to donate to Ukraine amounting to 700 thousand US dollars (Rp10.9 billion).

"There are 7.5 million children in Ukraine and after more than nine months of increased conflict, 5.2 million of them needed help," Murray said.

"When you look at pictures of children in the affected news, it makes it more difficult to digest."

"I have four lucky little kids who are all fine with them... But as parents, it affects you differently," added the Scottish-born tennis player.

With the help Murray, Program Specialist for UNICEF, Tatyana Fannouch called it very meaningful for victims, especially Ukrainian children affected by the war.

Thanks to the help of Murray, UNICEF can also provide supplies and medical services for children including those who leave home for safety.

"We have reached vulnerable families in hard-to-reach areas with rescue supplies and protection services," Fannouch said.

"For all the support you (Murray) have provided for the Ukrainian kids, thank you."