May 7, Kolkata (CRICKETNMORE): Kolkata Knight Riders players Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan and Sheldon Jackson visited the St. Jude India ChildCare Centre and interacted with the children. This activity was the first of many follow-up events under the CSR initiative of the Gionee Knight Golf tournament where KKR pledged to use funds to support causes in Kolkata.
"Our endeavour has always been to give back to the city that has supported us always. It was indeed a pleasure to meet the children who display such great fighting spirit. The children inspired our players to have a never-say-die attitude," Mr. Venky Mysore, CEO & MD, KKR said.
Over the past decade St Jude India ChildCare Centres has developed a model complementing the medical treatment being received by children suffering from cancer. The model lays great emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene at all its Centres, spread over 5 cities in India, namely Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Jaipur and Hyderabad, which prevents secondary infections and improves chances of a complete cure.
The children welcomed Team KKR with the song of hope and courage ‘We Shall Overcome’ and also presented a short dance. Paper flowers and cards made by the children, along with mementos, were presented to each member of the team as a token of appreciation.
"For Gionee its all about 'Make Smiles', and I am very happy that through KKR we have got an opportunity to bring smiles to these innocent faces. I hope this visit can make some difference in the lives of children who got a chance to meet their heroes," Mr Timir Baran Acharyya, Regional Director, Gionee said.
The players spent time at the Centre, engaging with the children and their parents, posing for photographs and signing autographs. They were taken on a tour of the Centre and saw first hand the St Jude model and the holistic care it endeavours to provide the children under treatment.