ICC Umpires support Australia and New Zealand charities

Melbourne, Feb 13: On the eve of ICC Cricket World Cup, Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires has made two separate donations of USD 10,000 each to the Fred Hollows Foundation in Melbourne and Ronald McDonald House Charities in Christchurch.

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Over the last number of international tournaments, the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires has nominated charities to make a donation in the respective host countries.

This year it has selected a charity each in Australia and New Zealand. Steve Davis, who is the spokesperson for the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires Executive, said: "We are delighted to support the Fred Hollows Foundation, which does so much outstanding work nationally in Australia, especially with indigenous children and around the world.

"Ronald McDonald House Charities does an enormous amount of good across New Zealand and globally to alleviate the plight of families whose children are undergoing treatment in hospitals and medical centres by providing accommodation, thus ensuring a level of normality at what can be a challenging time.

"The panel of 12 Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires is conscious of its role to help promote the game and act as positive role models within the cricketing community.

We are delighted to make this contribution and hope that it can help the Fred Hollows Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities with their important work," Davis said.

The cheque was presented by umpires to representatives from the charity, including CEO of The Fred Hollows Foundation, Brian Doolan. The umpires also presented a cheque to representatives from the Ronald McDonald House Charity in Christchurch, incluidng CEO Wayne Howett.

Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires: Billy Bowden, Aleem Dar, Steve Davis, Kumar Dhamasena, Marais Erasmus, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker.

PTI