Tennis
Aces Agnes Szavay and Maria Kirilenko Serve up Ace Whirlpool Appliances
for Habitat for Humanity UK
Ahead of Wimbledon, rising tennis starlet
Agnes Szavay and the latest Russian tennis success Maria Kirileko from
the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour arrived in Peckham, London to help deliver
Whirlpool products to be installed in the new Habitat for Humanity (HfH)
homes. Habitat for Humanity is an international housing charity that builds,
renovates and provides homes for underprivileged and disadvantaged families
throughout the World.
The Tour and Whirlpool, the premier European sponsors, along with their
own female superstars are firm believers in the benefits this programme
brings and have aimed to bring inspiration and support. Both Whirlpool
and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour have been keen supporters of HfH and have
helped with fund-raising through the innovative 'Aces for Homes' scheme,
which sees Whirlpool and the Tour donate €10 every time a player
serves an ace throughout the tour season. The 'Aces for Homes' donations
have helped finance the Habitat for Humanity ‘Women Build’ programme,
which sees ‘women-only’ builds across Europe addressing the
lack of affordable housing, an issue which disproportionately affects
women and children. Awareness of Habitat for Humanity, their builds and
Whirlpool association across Europe is further leveraged by high profile
tennis tournaments local to the charity builds.
Agnes Szavay, Hungarian tennis sensation comments, 'The players are very
happy to be able to lend their support to the Habitat for Humanity builds.
The players are always very eager to get involved and meet the volunteers
who do a great job helping the deserving families who need this support.
The London build is fantastic and we hope that with the support of our
own female role models we can inspire more people to be empowered and
get involved.'
Agnes Szavay and Maria Kirilenko are just two of the players who have
found time out of their hectic schedules to support Habitat for Humanity.
Last season World No.1 Ana Ivanovic and Daniela Hantuchova, renowned for
her serving prowess, presented to Habitat for Humanity a donation cheque
for over €104,000 on behalf of Whirlpool and the Tour. These were
funds raised through 'Aces for Homes', which helped assure that 19 single
mother families in over 7 European countries were provided with a new
home. Nadia Petrova has also been involved in previous Habitat builds
on behalf of Whirlpool and the Tour and was earlier this year along with
Agnes Szavay unveiled as the ambassadors for the 2008 'Aces for Homes'
scheme.
Lucija Popovska, European Programme Director, Habitat for Humanity, says,
'Whirlpool and the Tour’s commitment to our cause have been greatly
received and we hope that our relationship continues for many more years
to come. It’s fantastic that such world class players have taken
time out from their preparation and training for Wimbledon to lend a helping
hand and raise awareness of the great work being done by Habitat for Humanity,
not just in London but throughout Europe. Special thanks must also go
to Whirlpool and their donations, including providing Whirlpool appliances
for the new Peckham homes.'
Whirlpool’s commitment to Habitat for Humanity is demonstrated throughout
Europe. Earlier this year, on 14th April 2008, Whirlpool female employees
from Spain, Portugal, Italy and several other European countries came
together with members of the Tour to work on the Habitat for Humanity
'women-only' build in Braga, Portugal. Along with the volunteer work,
Whirlpool is committed to donating a refrigerator, washing machine and
oven to every Habitat for Humanity home built across Europe.
Dino Olivetti, Brand Director, Whirlpool Europe, said, 'We are proud to
continue our support of Habitat for Humanity and are happy that we can
benefit those families who need it through the donation of our appliances.
The Peckham build is another opportunity for us to provide our support
and highlight the good work being done by this wonderful charity. We wish
all those who are due to move into the new Peckham housing the very best
and that the build will give them a platform to a better future.'
The Peckham build, which will provide 12 new flats to underprivileged
local families, has been organised and co-ordinated by Southwark Habitat
for Humanity, an independent local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.
Corporate volunteers have also been on-site and provided assistance in
the building of the new homes.
Web: http://www.whirlpool.eu
Web: http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com
