Tennis player Rafael Nadal and Basketball player Pau Gasol have launched a new campaign called “CruzRoja Responde” or "Red Cross Responds" to raise money for coronavirus sufferers.
The two sportsmen plan to unite all Spanish athletes to help them raise 11 million euros for more than 1,350,000 people who are fighting Covid-19.
In two messages on social media networks, Nadal and Gasol say they’re confident that "uniting everyone from the sports world in Spain, in moments that are hard, sad and difficult to explain, will be possible. Rafa also admits in the message that he is feeling the impact of the pandemic.
Nadal said in a Twitter post: "In this situation which is totally new for everyone, after giving it further thought, I have come to the conclusion that you, the Spanish people, have never failed us, the athletes. You have always been by our side in happy moments, (but also) in difficult times.
"You have always had understanding with us when things have not gone well, but when things have gone well you have always been there celebrating with all of us our joy.
"I think that athletes are what we are in large part thanks to your support, and now is the time that athletes cannot fail you. That's why I decided to call my friend Pau. Together we came to the conclusion of starting this initiative to which we trust that all Spanish sport will unite and give a good example of unity.
"We're teaming up with the Red Cross Respond project. In this project the Red Cross is supplying medical equipment, they are building hospital infrastructures, they are helping the most vulnerable families, and they are also creating accommodation for special groups and many other things.
"The objective is clear: To get 11 million Euros for helping 1,350,000 people. We trust that all Spanish sports (sportsmen and sportswomen) will come together and support the initiative to achieve our goal. Pau and I have already made our donation. We rely on you because surely this is going to be our best victory."
Pau Gasol, who’s played for many, many NBA teams, including the LA Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs, says the world is facing an unprecedented situation.
"We are all suffering the consequences of this terrible pandemic to a greater or lesser extent, above all, those of you on the front line, the health professionals who are taking care of people who have contracted the virus and are totally overwhelmed,” says Gasol. "Today, along with my great friend Rafa Nadal, we have started a campaign to raise funds for the “Red Cross Responds” project aimed at people most affected by the coronavirus.”
Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin; Sky Sports