One year after the start of the war in Ukraine, Andriy Shevchenko, on behalf of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, gave AC Milan an award in recognition of the Club’s contribution to helping the local population.
On 24 February 2022, news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine spread around the world. One year after, the war is still ongoing, and millions of people continue to suffer.
AC Milan has always been aware of its role as a social institution. As such, supported by the entire Rossoneri family, the Club immediately sought to lend its support to the Ukrainian people, collecting donations of both monetary and basic necessities. This was then followed by further initiatives that fell under the “AC Milan for Peace” programme.
As part of the Charity Dinner, organised by Fondazione Milan to celebrate its 20th Anniversary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the Foundation, the Club and its owners as well as its partners and fans through a video message. Rossoneri legend Andriy Shevchenko also presented a special award on behalf of President Zelensky to the Club, recognising the work done to help the population affected by the conflict.
Andriy Shevchenko said: “My country has been at war for almost a year now. AC Milan and Fondazione Milan have been true friends for the Ukrainian people. The message of solidarity they have sent had an incredible effect, we felt that we were not alone. Now we have to get the children back playing, and I want to thank the Foundation for the support they continue to give us".
His former teammate Paolo Maldini accepted the award on behalf of the Club. The AC Milan Technical Area Director commented, “We share your feelings [speaking to Shevchenko]. We have all learned great lessons from this sport and from this great Club. Besides doing a fantastic job at a local level, Fondazione Milan is capable of acting on the back of emergencies across the globe and the conflict in Ukraine is something we wanted to address and do something about, because the power of sport can help bring some normality. I have been lucky enough to be a member of this Club for 31 years, I won many things, but one of the most beautiful victories is undoubtedly helping Fondazione Milan for 20 years”.
"We have all received great lessons from the sport and from our great Club, which shares the same emotions as Andriy and which immediately wanted to help in this situation of emergency. Sport can provide a return to normality and I believe that being able to work alongside Fondazione Milan for 20 years has been one of my greatest victories.”
As part of the “AC Milan for Peace” programme, the Club and Fondazione Milan set up a secure channel for raising money just days after the start of the war. They launched charity auctions, collected basic necessities and hosted young Ukrainian refugees at the Academy summer camps. Furthermore, alongside Shevchenko, Fondazione Milan donated the proceeds of sales of a special AC Milan jersey and worked with the local Milan government to set up a Ukrainian-language telephone helpline to promote integration (see the link for more info on these initiatives).
Today, one year after the start of the conflict, AC Milan continues to carry out its duty towards the Ukrainian people. On Sunday, the Club will welcome a delegation of refugee students (including a number from Ukraine) at the University of Milano-Bicocca to the Mondo Milan Museum and at the San Siro stadium for the game against Atalanta. Fondazione Milan, meanwhile, will keep working with Shevchenko to contribute to rebuilding the Central City Stadium in Irpin, a city close to Kyiv which was heavily bombed.
Source: AC Milan
