Lewis Hamilton snubs F1 party to visit poverty-stricken children in Far East
Sonia Elks
29th March, 2012

Lewis Hamilton shunned the celebrations at the end of the Malaysian Grand Prix to spend time with some of the world’s most deprived children.


Formula fun: Lewis Hamilton plays a game with Jasmine, Sally and Mary Jo, who all live with their families on the streets of Manila
(Picture: Sharron Lovell/UNICEF)

The former Formula 1 champion bypassed the champagne parties and raced to the Philippines on an awareness-raising trip for Unicef.

While there, Hamilton shot a short film about the lives of the 85,000 children who live and work on the streets of Manila, struggling for food and shelter.

He spent time with youngsters including ten-year-old Reynold, who is forced to live in a cart and work and beg to raise money for his younger brothers Arnold, nine, and Rico, two, to eat.


Brotherly love: Lewis Hamilton in Manila with Reynold, Rico and Arnold
(Picture: Sharron Lovell/UNICEF)

The McLaren driver chatted to street children in the Binondo area of the city about their lives.

The 27-year-old Briton said: ‘The young boys and girls who I have met today are really fantastic but they are living without food, clean water and a safe place to sleep at night.

‘It shouldn’t be like this. Please, buy a ticket for Soccer Aid in May, or make a donation. It could be the difference between life and death for a child.’

Soccer Aid is a celebrities and legends football match taking place at Old Trafford on May 27. See unicef.org.uk for more details. Hamilton’s film will be aired by ITV1 that night.

metro.co.uk