Tottenham star Richarlison is currently donating 10% of his salary to help fund a home for cancer patients in his native Brazil.
That’s according to EPSN Brazil, who cover the forward’s efforts to help those in need in his homeland.
They say the Tottenham man is ‘increasingly involved in social issues’ in Brazil and that sees him giving 10% of his salary to help charities.
The money comes from a partnership with a businessman to cover the costs of the Father Roberto Lettieri Institute in Brazil, which helps cancer patients who are treated at the Hospital do Amor in Barretos.
“Many people don’t know. In Brazil I have a house in Barretos where there is a cancer hospital,” the forward is quoted as saying.
“There is a house there to help people who don’t have money to stay there. So, there they have free food, everything for free. 10% of my salary goes there to help those people.”
The outlet explains the decision originated from a visit Richarlison paid to the businessman’s ex-wife five years ago, when she was being treated for cancer at the hospital.
From that point on he began helping the institute with money, helping to cover costs for patients who come from all over the country for treatment but can’t afford a hotel or housing in the city.
It’s the first time the Tottenham man has spoken publicly about his efforts, having seen a very important person in his life, Geovana, someone he considers a second mother, fighting cancer.
“In 2017, one of the most important people in my life had cancer and I saw up close her struggle to heal and return to a normal life,” he added.
“Geovana is like my second mother; she is the one who takes care of me every day and does everything to make my days the best they can be.
“She was treated at the Hospital de Amor, in Barretos, which is a reference in cancer treatment in Brazil and serves SUS patients.
“As retribution, since that time, I decided to support the Father Roberto Lettieri Institute, which receives children who are under treatment and their companions, since many people arrive from far away for treatment and cannot always afford to stay in the city.”
It’s a point of pride for Richarlison, albeit a private one to this point, with it explained that he keeps photos of the Padre Roberto Lettieri house on his phone and ‘proudly shows’ children playing here and families eating together.
He’s kept it quiet to this point to avoid media coverage but now wants to set an example, hence the decision to speak out.
“I think it encourages other people to help others. It won’t cost me anything, I do it from my heart,” he said.
