Battling life-threatening cancer, two-year-old Anirban Debnath and 14-year-old Rinki Mondal today inspired the likes of Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan, the two star cricketers of two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders.
Yusuf was seen chatting with Murshidabad girl Rinki, while Uthappa took Howrah's Anriban on his lap as the KKR duo along with Sheldon Jackson and team CEO Venky Mysore spent some quality time, spreading some words of encouragement with 34 kids in the age group of one to 14 years at the St Jude India Child Care Centre in Rajarhat in the outskirts of city.
"It was a humbling experience, these kids provide a lot of inspiration. We are here to empower them overcome this hurdle and the kids have shown lot of charcater and beleif," Uthappa said.
Cancer-affected children from Tata Memorial Centre and Thakurpukur Cancer Research Centre are treated at the St Jude India Child Care Centre, which provides free of cost medical help.
"Kids don't know what they are going through. These kids are very strong. We can give them love and provide them strength," Pathan said.
Yusuf, who have been involved with such an initiative back home Baroda, said: "It feels very bad. They cannot express their sorrow and pain. Most of them are suffering from leukemia."
The cricketers handed them gifts which included autographed bats among others.
"Our endeavour has always been to give back to the city that has supported us always. It was indeed a pleasure to meet the children who display such great fighting spirit. The children inspired our players to have a never-say-die attitude," Mysore said.
