Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez celebrates with Arsenal's Spanish defender Hector Bellerin (R) after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Arsenal at the Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England on May 13, 2017. Arsenal won the game 4-1. / AFP PHOTO / Lindsey PARNABY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /
At least 80 people were killed in the blaze that consumed the tower block in west London on June 14, with the cladding blamed for spreading the fire throughout the 24-floor block.
Arsenal defender Bellerin has given £19,050 (21,700 euros, $24,700) to the fund having pledged to offer £50 for every minute he played for Spain at the recent European Under-21 championships in Poland.
The 22-year-old played 381 minutes during Spain’s successful campaign which saw them fall at the final hurdle, losing 1-0 to Germany last Friday.
His donation will go to the British Red Cross.
“I promised to donate £50 for every minute I played at #U21Euro. I will be donating to @BritishRedCross. Please support in any way you can,” tweeted Bellerin.
Manchester City and England winger Raheem Sterling, who began his football career at QPR, a mile from the tower, also made what has been termed a ‘substantial donation’ to those affected.
“This is a deep and sad situation, one that’s close to my heart and hard to swallow,” he told the BBC the day after the tragedy.
“I would like to help in the best way I can. It is only a small step, but small steps lead to big changes if we all come together.”
