Professional tennis player Rafael Nadal is calling on fellow Spanish athletes to raise A$20 million ($11 million euros) to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Spain is one of the pandemic’s most hard-hit countries with over 57,000 cases, over 4,000 deaths and a lockdown in place until at least April 12.
Nadal and Spanish NBA star Pau Gasol came up with the initiative to support the Red Cross in obtaining protective equipment and infrastructure to assist vulnerable families in Spain affected by the virus.
"This pandemic has changed everyone’s life, especially those who have experienced it first hand or with a family member," Nadal said in a video.
"The news that we hear is not entirely encouraging, but we must be strong and stay united to beat the virus.
"I think that we're the athletes that we are in large part because of your support and now is that time that your athletes don't fail you.
"We reached a conclusion that now is the time to launch an initiative which we hope that all Spanish sports comes together in a show of solidarity and a good example of unity to align ourselves with the Red Cross Responds [campaign]."
Nadal is the latest to join a list of high profile stars who have donated money to help people affected by the pandemic around the world.
Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation announced on March 21 that they donated A$8.2 million (US$5 million) towards organisations responding to COVID-19 around the world.
The funds will contribute to buying protective equipment for frontline health workers, intensive care units, development of vaccines, the distribution of critical respiratory supplies and local food banks serving at-risk communities in the US.
Hollywood actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie has donated A$1.6 million (US$1 million) to tackle child hunger during the coronavirus pandemic.
No Kid Hungry has pledged to use her donation to provide meals for children from low-income families who rely on food support while schools are closed in the US.
Last month, Justin Bieber pledged A$48,000 (US$29,000) to the Beijing Chunmiao Charity Foundation to aid relief efforts for children affected by coronavirus.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have donated A$1.6 million (US$1 million) to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada to assist low income families and the elderly who might be struggling during this time.
Roger Federer and his wife took to Instagram to announce their donation of A$1.7 million ($1 million Swiss francs) to help "the most vulnerable families in Switzerland".
They hope to encourage more people to support families in need.
Fashion designer Donatella Versace and her daughter, Allegra, donated A$362,000 ($200,000 euros) to the intensive care department at Milan's San Raffaele hospital at the heart of Italy’s coronavirus epicentre.
Italy holds the world’s highest coronavirus death toll at over 8,000 deaths and more than 80,000 confirmed cases.
Reality TV star and make-up mogul Kylie Jenner donated A$1.6 million (US$1 million) to the doctor who delivered her now 2-year-old daughter.
The donation will help healthcare workers obtain the protective gear they are short of.
Artist Taylor Swift is offering financial help to fans affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
After sharing their struggles on social media, several of her fans have posted their disbelief and gratitude for Swift’s $5000 ($3000 USD) donations.
The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation is donating A$16.4 million (US$10 million) to coronavirus relief.
The funds will provide financial assistance to affected Ralph Lauren colleagues, contribute to the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, support cancer survivors and assist the impacted American fashion community.
The corporation also announced they are producing 250,000 masks and 250,000 isolation gowns to aid the fight against coronavirus.
Actor and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger has pledged A$1.6 million (US$1 million) to the Frontline Responders Fund, a crowdfunding page he co-founded to ensure healthcare workers are equipped with masks, gloves and other protective gear.
Justin Timberlake announced he is donating to the Mid-South Food Bank, near his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.
The US state is struggling to rebuild amid the coronavirus pandemic, after being hit by a series of tornadoes that left over 70,000 homes without power and 300 people injured.
On March 16, Lady Gaga announced her cosmetic brand would donate 20 per cent of the previous week's profits to food banks in Los Angeles and New York "in order to get food to those affected by the closing of schools and other places that offer this critical resource".
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