Murray to donate Queen’s prize money to fire victims

As he chases a sixth title at Queen’s, Andy Murray has another important agenda. The world No.1 is reported to be donating all prize money from the event to victims of the Grenfell Tower fire disaster in London.

Should he defend his 2016 title, Murray will be passing on earnings of £346,000 (more than AUD $580,000). The prestigious Queen’s club event is located just three kilometres from the site of the Grenfell Tower fire, in which at least 59 people are confirmed to have died. It is expected that the tournament will also make a significant donation to victims.

While confirmed to local media by event organisers, Murray is yet to publicly comment on the gesture – a familiar pattern for the Scot, who donated all prize money from his 2013 Queen’s title to the Royal Marsden Hospital, where his close friend (and fellow player) Ross Hutchins was successfully treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Murray is also a quiet but generous supporter of the World Wildlife Fund and helped launch the Malaria No More UK with David Beckham.

Charity exhibitions undertaken by the Scot include the Rally for Relief ahead of Australian Open 2011, and Rally for Bally in honour of fellow British player Elena Baltacha, who passed away after a battle with cancer in 2014.

Acknowledging his work for various charities, Murray was awarded with the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award for 2014.

Honoured with a knighthood in 2017, Murray was recognised for his services to “tennis and to charity”.

The world No.1 begins his Queen’s campaign against countryman Aljaz Bedene in the first round on Tuesday.

Absolute respect to Andy Murray for giving his prize money from Queen’s Club championships to the families of #GrenfellTower fire victims. pic.twitter.com/Lx6VsHd4sT

— James Melville (@JamesMelville) June 19, 2017