LONDON – World No.1 Andy Murray could donate almost £350,000 to the families of the Grenfell Tower disaster after confirming that he will give all of his earnings at this week’s Aegon champions towards the cause.
Last week the city of London suffered one of their worst fires in recent history. A 24-storey tower block in North Kensington was set ablaze within minutes by a yet-to-be determined cause. At least 79 people were killed in the fire with emergency services still working at the scene. The building had a total of 120 flats with 200 bedrooms, leaving scores of people homeless and without any belongings.
Should Murray successfully defend his title in London this week, the exact total of the money he will donate will be £347,000. The decision was confirmed by tournament sources at Queen’s late on Monday, but Murray’s management is yet to comment on the decision.
Grenfell Tower is located less than three miles away from The Queen’s Club, venue of the Aegon Championships. Earlier this week the UK government announced a £5 million emergency fund to support the 180 families affected, but only £200,000 has been spent so far according to BBC News.
It is not the first time that Murray has donated his prize money. In 2013 he gave £75,000 of his Queen’s earnings to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea. The hospital was treating his friend Ross Hutchings, who had cancer. During 2014, Murray also helped form the ‘rally for Bally’ exhibition in memory of Elena Baltacha, who died of cancer. His charitable work earned him the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the year award in 2014.
Receiving a knighthood last year, Murray was recognized for both his work in sport and for charity. The Brit hosts an annual exhibition in Glasgow to raise money for local and national charities.
Murray will begin his Queen’s campaign on Tuesday against Aljaz Bedene. He is bidding to win the trophy for a record sixth time.
