Manchester Utd

Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand donates £500,000 in toys to charity

Published Dec. 15, 2016 7:11 p.m. ET

Aaron West

It's the season of good cheer indeed.

Former Manchester United and England legend Rio Ferdinand has come out of pocket in a BIG way, donating £500,000 worth of toys to charity on behalf of himself and his Italian restaurant, Rosso.

Said Ferdinand, "As a father myself I couldn't see children going without opening a present this Christmas Day - the work that Cash For Kids at Key 103 do is truly amazing. I'm glad that my restaurant Rosso and I can be involved in this and certainly help put a smile on locals kids' faces this Christmas Day."

Ferdinand, who now works as a commentator for British channel BT Sport, donated to the "Cash for Kids" campaign, the official charity of Manchester radio station Key 103, which provides help for children living in poverty, or those who have suffered abuse, deprivation or neglect across Manchester.

The charity's manager Russell Feingold said on the station's website: "We are totally overwhelmed by Rio's amazing contribution. This is going to help so many young children."

https://twitter.com/CFKKEY103/status/809322840109486080

When told about the donation, Key 103 breakfast show host Mike Toolan called Ferdinand up to thank him, and Ferdinand was typically magnanimous in his response: "Me and the guys at Rosso have seen what's been going on in the city, and with obviously it being Christmas we know there are a lot of people less fortunate than we are so we've decided to donate £500,000 worth of toys and gifts." Shaking off the praise, Ferdinand went on to say: "We're not looking for a thank you, we're just trying to help people out."

Ferdinand wasn't done there, though. He also donated 11,500 sleeping bags to Manchester's homeless community, making this one incredible holiday of giving for United's former No. 5.

Merry Christmas indeed.

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