London: The Milos Raonic Foundation, and Unicef, supported by Andy Murray, have been selected among nine recipients in the ATP ACES For Charity grant programme for 2016. Grants of $/€15,000 will be awarded to a total of nine charitable causes, nominated by ATP World Tour players, tournaments and alumni.
In addition to Murray and Raonic’s causes, respectively supporting children affected by the conflict in Syria and teens with cerebral palsy, a total of seven grants will benefit youth through programmes worldwide: Santi Giraldo’s Foundation in Colombia, ACEing Autism in the United States, the TJOMMIE Foundation in South Africa, the Ronald McDonald House in Australia, and the Japan Wheelchair Tennis Association.
ATP ACES For Charity grants have also been awarded to the Paul and Carolyn Flory Fund, created in memory of the long-time Cincinnati Tournament Director, in the fight against cancer, and to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to assist those affected by the recent flooding in Chennai.
Entering its sixth year in 2016, the ATP ACES For Charity program is a global initiative aimed at giving back to communities where ATP World Tour events are played, as well as recognising and supporting tournament, player and alumni charitable initiatives. Since 2011, the grant programme has awarded 67 grants totalling more than $800,000 in donations.
The recipients of the 2016 ATP ACES For Charity grants are:
Santiago Giraldo: Santi Giraldo’s Foundation supports children from less privileged socio-economic backgrounds, with a goal of inspiring them to learn sport values, pursue their dreams and live decent lives. Founded in 2014, the project is based on the platforms of sport and education, and aspires to expand beyond Pereira to the rest of Colombia and Latin America. The ATP ACES For Charity Grant will be used to sponsor players with equipment, training and at tournaments.
Ivo Karlovic: ACEing Autism, nominated by its ambassador Ivo Karlovic, operates under the tagline of “Connecting Kids Through Tennis”. It aims to provide meaningful benefits to children with autism, their families and communities by utilising unique tennis programmes, including Kids’ Day clinics at ATP World Tour events. ACEing Autism currently impacts more than 500 children in 35 cities across 16 U.S. states, and aspires to double the number of children served by overseeing 75-100 program sites.
Andy Murray: Unicef, the world leading children’s organisation, promotes the rights and wellbeing of children around the world and runs programmes to advocate for lasting change. Andy Murray, a Unicef UK supporter for the past two years, has participated in a variety of campaigns, including Unicef UK’s #BeatDisease appeal to raise awareness and funds to keep children safe from disease. Since September 2015, Murray has supported Unicef’s work for children in emergencies, spurred on by the child migrant and refugee crisis.
Milos Raonic: The Milos Raonic Foundation, founded by the Canadian and his family in 2012, has a mission to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to remove economic, physical and other barriers that might prevent them from becoming healthy, production member of society. The foundation is currently targeting its support to programmes for children with disabilities. The Foundation will match the ATP ACES For Charity grant, donating $30,000 to support the Holland-Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s SportFit programme aimed at teens with cerebral palsy.
Jacco Eltingh & Paul Haarhuis: The former World No. 1 doubles players are ambassadors of the TJOMMIE Foundation. Founded in 1999 in The Netherlands, it aims to provide poor and vulnerable South African children with support, motivation and inspiration so that they can fully develop themselves and become more resilient. The foundation reaches at least 10,000 children and their families through its cooperation and support of children’s projects of the NGO Ndlovu Care Group, which provides both medical care and socio-economic help in the Limpopo and Mpumalange Province.
Brisbane International presented by Suncorp: Ronald McDonald House South East Queensland (RMH SEQ), the Brisbane International’s Charity of Choice, provides accommodation and support services for seriously ill children and their families who live more than 50km from the treating hospital in Brisbane. Funds from the ATP ACES For Charity grant, along with a $250 donation for every ace served on Pat Rafter Arena during this week’s tournament, will help fund the new Ronald McDonald House South Brisbane, anticipated to open by mid-2016.
Aircel Chennai Open: The Aircel Chennai Open aims to do its part in assisting those affected by the recent flooding in Chennai, with the ATP ACES For Charity grant going towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund organises flood relief measures for the distressed in Chennai and across the State of Tamil Nadu. Its wide scope of rehabilitation work includes housing and infrastructure development; provision of food, medication and essential relief materials; free medical check-ups; and compensation for losses.
Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati): The Paul and Carolyn Flory Fund, which operates under the motto “It Started With Tennis, It Ends With a Cure”, was created in memory of the long-time Cincinnati Tournament Director and his wife, who together orchestrated more than $10 million in giving toward fighting cancer. The Flory Fund directly benefits the Barrett Cancer Center at the University of Cincinnati. The ATP ACES For Charity donation will assist with hiring and retaining key medical personnel, acquiring advanced diagnostic equipment, and funding research retreats for top doctors and researchers.
Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships (Tokyo): Through the Japan Wheelchair Tennis Association and Shingo Kunieda, the World No. 1 wheelchair player, the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships aims to introduce children to wheelchair tennis and start a junior tournament. The ATP ACES For Charity grant will be used for the cost of courts and balls, as well as to buy and repair wheelchairs for tennis.
