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Pat Rafter: Homegrown Hero By Damien Thomas Patrick Rafter’s accomplishments on the tennis court are not the only credentials that make him a hero in many Australian’s eyes. Pats humble roots as a Queensland country boy and the unconditional love that his family have showered upon him, have modeled him into a sincere, caring man. Even though his parents were very poor at times, his dad always found time to donate at the local church, and this has obviously rubbed off on Pat. He has donated much time, and money, to charity work, fundraising and helping those less fortunate than him. After receiving US $900 000 for his Grand Slam win in 1997, Pat proceeded to anonymously donate a third of this to the Starlight Foundation in Brisbane. He repeated this amazing feat of generosity a year later, when he won at Flushing Meadows again. In February 1999, Patrick Rafter founded the ‘Patrick Rafter Cherish the Children Foundation’. It was Pat’s personal desire to help provide children in need with the means to make a difference to enrich lives of our next generation. He wanted to help more than one child, more than one charity. Through the ‘Patrick Rafter Cherish the Children Foundation’, funds are distributed to many charities, including those providing assistance to homeless children, and to organizations caring for children with physical and or emotional disabilities. Just recently, for charity, Pat shaved of his trademark ponytail and beard. This act, performed by renowned bald headed athlete Michael Klim, help raised $50 000 for Pat’s own “Cherish the Children Foundation.” You will not find this kind of generosity and commitment in your average person around the world. But then again, Pat Rafter is not your average person.
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