Amir Khan has warned that more needs to be done to save the lives of those embroiled in the Syrian refugee crisis.
Khan and his team arrive in Athens today where they will hand-deliver food, clothing and medical supplies to a depot before visiting the Syrian refugee camp in Lesbos to provide relief.
The two-time world champion was flying out to Greece this morning to join a seven-van convoy packed with 24 tonnes of aid which set off on its 2,000 mile journey from Bolton this week.
me @riz1malik @Taz786khan enroute to Greece. @AKFoundation #charity #SyrianRefugeeCrisis pic.twitter.com/QKKcorcODj
— Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) September 18, 2015
The harrowing image of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi’s body, washed up on a Turkish beach, was among those that compelled the father-of-one to take action.
In a comment to MM, Khan said: “After seeing the images that have emerged over the last few weeks I feel it’s important to do anything we can to help these refugees.
“It was absolutely heart-breaking seeing pictures of dead children being washed up on shore. You can’t just ignore something like that and we all have to do what we can.”
The Bolton boxer has been heartened by the support given to the collaboration between The Amir Khan Foundation and the Penny Appeal but suggests this should merely be the tip of the iceberg.
“The response by the British public has been amazing and we have been able to gather food, water, hygiene kits and blankets to take to Lesbos.
“The truth is though that much more is needed otherwise more lives are going to be lost.”
The Greek-island of Lesbos has been overrun with refugees en route to Athens after fleeing the conflict and donations toward the convoy are still very much welcomed.
As little as £50 can provide a lifeline kit (including food, water, a sleeping bag and hygiene essentials) and you can donate online at www.pennyappeal.org or call the 24/7 donation hotline on 0800 73 101 54 (free for landlines) or 03000 11 11 11 (free for mobiles).
In the same manner, Andy Murray has pledged to donate £50 to Unicef for every ace he racks up throughout the rest of the season.
The Scot’s contribution will be matched by his sponsor Standard Life, along with the tennis governing bodies the LTA and AFTP, meaning every ace will be worth £200 to the children’s charity.
Unicef works to provide all basic needs to children afflicted by conflict and the public can donate to their, and Andy’s, cause online at https://www.justgiving.com/AndysAces or you can donate £5 by texting ACE to 70800.
Image courtesy of Amir Khan via Twitter, with thanks.
