Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Violence widens ahead of Greek austerity vote

Olympic gold medalists help war-torn areas

Donations by speedskaters Cheek, Hughes spark Right to Play's fundraising

Slide show
Italy's Zoeggler competes in men's singles luge event at Winter Olympic Games in Cesana Pariol
  Taking gold
Check out the best images from the 2006 Winter Olympics.

TORONTO - Olympic gold medalists Joey Cheek and Clara Hughes have helped spur a wave of donations to Right to Play, a charity that helps children in impoverished, war-torn areas.

Cheek donated $40,000 to the Toronto-based organization after winning two medals. Hughes, the Canadian speedskating champion in the 5,000 meters, followed his lead and announced her plans to donate $10,000 after her win.

The net result? The Canadian arm of the organization has received $70,000 in pledges since the weekend. The U.S. public has donated about $350,000.

“Our phones are ringing off the hook,” said Warren Spires, the group’s Canadian director.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement