Playing successful cricket over a long period makes you pretty wealthy. Several current and former cricketers volunteer to help society in different ways. Following are the few cricketers who not only have an impact on the field but off the field.
1. Virat Kohli
The former Indian cricket team captain, apart from being the best batter of his current generation, has a charitable personality. The Virat Kohli Foundation was formed in 2013 by the said batter to help and assist young athletes in the country. Later, from helping underprivileged children and holding charity balls to aiding care homes, the foundation is doing continuous noble work. Last year, the foundation also opened two animal shelters. It also organizes an award ceremony every year for all the athletes across the country to acknowledge their contribution to making India a sporting nation.
2. Iam Botham
The dominant English all-rounder Ian Botham also known as Sir Ian Botham runs a charitable foundation known as Beefy’s Charity Foundation. It was founded in 2013 to raise funds for children with chronic illnesses and other disorders. The foundation helps children with illnesses like blood cancer, brain tumors, etc. It raises funds by organizing fun activities like cricket matches or golf matches.
3. Imran Khan
The 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan and the World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan had his journey from a player to a politician. He lost his mother at 63, who was fighting a long battle with cancer. Imran Khan remains one of the most charitable cricketers. Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital was the initial step of this long noble journey. For over 27 years, the hospital has treated patients fighting cancer for free. Along with the hospital, he also founded Imran Khan Cancer Appeal to raise funds for cancer patients. The other notable foundations are Imran Khan Foundation and Namal Institute.
4. Yuvraj Singh
The former Indian star cricketer Yuvraj Singh, whose fight with cancer is known to every Indian. In the 2011 world cup, the former cricketer was diagnosed with a rare cancer disorder, seminoma. Later, he was treated well in Boston, and his journey of helping cancer patients started. In 2012, along with his mother, the star cricketer started his foundation, YOU WE CAN. The sole aim of the foundation is to help and empower people battling cancer. Apart from this, he has another foundation known as Yuvraj Singh Foundation. He regularly supports budding cricketers across the country with the help of his cricket academies.
5. Brett Lee
One of the best pacers to ever grace the game is the Australian pacer, Brett Lee. In 2011, the bowler started his foundation, MEWSIC, in India. The healing power of music is not unknown. Music can heal you thoroughly. With this aim, the Mewsic foundation works to ensure that young children aren’t unaware of this power. Music to heal, educate, and empower is the main aim of his foundation. The foundation provides music therapy to children battling cancer.
6. Shahid Afridi
Pakistan’s all-rounder, Shahid Afridi, runs an organization known as Shahid Afridi Foundation. The foundation started in the year 2014. Foundation aims to help the underprivileged with the necessities of water, electricity, education, etc. The foundation also helps the people of Pakistan with sports facilities and even assists in emergency relief programs.
7. Sachin Tendulkar
Popularly known as the God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar helps children to give them a better future. The foundation, popularly known as Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, works with other municipal foundations and hospitals for the welfare of young children. The foundation also focuses on children’s education. They also work with UNICEF. Also, there is a sports management foundation known as SRT sports management. The main aim was to help Sachin’s dream of making India a sporting nation.
8. Steve Waugh
The former Australian captain Steve Waugh started a foundation in 2005 known as Steve Waugh Foundation. The foundation aims to help children and families suffering from rare diseases. It helps children from age groups 0-25 years. They help to provide all the equipment for the treatment and give them a good atmosphere. Steve Waugh thinks no one should go through a situation like this alone.
9. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting is considered one of the best captains in the world. In 2008, he started the Ponting Foundation. The foundation aims to help young Australians fight cancer. They help to raise funds and provide all kinds of facilities required by the suffering family. Their foundation is one of the leading charitable foundations in Australia.
10. Glenn McGrath
The Australian Pacer Glenn McGrath is considered one of the most philanthropic cricketers. In 2005, along with his wife Jane McGrath, they started Glenn McGrath Foundation to raise awareness for breast cancer. They started this foundation after Jane found she was suffering from the same. It is now Australia’s one of the most respectable charitable foundations. Not only do they raise funds for the family suffering from breast cancer but raise awareness of the same.
