Five Cricketers And Their Philanthropic Sides

Cricketers are role models. Not just due to their stature and contribution for the national but also due to their generous side off the field. Cricketers have often come out in support of the citizens through various philanthropic activities and won hearts of people across the globe.

Let us have a look at few cricketers who are known for their philanthropic activities.

Glenn McGrath 

Australia fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath is well-known for his philanthropic activities through his foundation. McGrath has an inspirational story behind the Glenn McGrath foundation. It was found by him after the death of his wife Jane at the age of 31 after she lost battle to breast cancer.

Under the foundation, there are 145 McGrath Breast Care Nurses, who help individuals and their families experiencing breast cancer by providing physical, psychological and emotional support, for free, according to their official page.

Steve Waugh

One of the most successful Test captain Steve Waugh is known for his philanthropic activities through his foundation. The foundation, according to its official page, is dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for children and young people living with rare diseases in a holistic manner. Additionally, they see some children come for help once, while others come back time and time again.

Through his foundation Waugh raised funds for under privileged children. He has done some notable work in India as well, and continues to remain active in the sub-continent. Waugh had raised funds for rehabilitation of leprosy patients’ children of Udayan in Kolkata. He takes his philanthropic inspiration from Mother Teresa.

Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh defeated cancer. He was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, mediastinal seminoma, at the age of 30. After being diagnosed with the non-malignant tumour of the lungs, the 2011 World Cup hero, underwent several chemotherapy to beat the disease.

It also inspired him to begin his philanthropic work with The YouWeCan Foundation. His foundation helps people fight cancer and also raises awareness about the disease through various activities. It is a non-profit organisation registered under the Bombay Trust Act, 1965.

Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi runs a foundation under his name. Before being diagnosed with novel coronavirus, he was involved in philanthropic activities, and bought the bat put into auction by Mushfiqur Rahim to aid fight against the pandemic in Bangladesh. Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh had also raised funds for his foundation in the recent past.

As per the official website of the Shahid Afridi Foundation, they are an integrated community aimed to improve the lives of the underprivileged through various efforts aimed at refining the state of Healthcare and Education within the country and providing clean and safe drinking water.

Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting is another member from the cricket fraternity who has a foundation which aids fight against cancer. The Ponting Foundation is dedicated to doing everything possible to help young Australians and their families beat cancer, according to their official website. It provides funding for a wide range of essential services that comfort and nurture young Australians with cancer while providing emotional support and financial assistance for their family.