Former world boxing champion Volodymyr Klitschko was the first in Ukraine to receive the Golden Heart award for charitable activities from the German foundation Ein Herz fur Kinder (Heart to Children).

The awards ceremony took place on December 5 as part of the 42nd annual charity telethon. It is attended by prominent public figures, businessmen, politicians, athletes and actors who donate personally and encourage others to do so..

All funds raised at the event go to charitable projects in different countries of the world, including in Ukraine.. Among such initiatives are the fight against the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and the treatment of children with cancer..

The athlete is a regular participant in the telethon and donates funds on his own. This year, with his help, the organizers managed to raise a record amount - almost 26 million euros.

Over the 20 years of its existence, its laureates have also been Prince Harry, Queen Silvia of Sweden, Princess Charlene of Monaco, tennis player Steffi Graf, as well as actors George Clooney, Sharon Stone and Salma Hayek.

Klitschko Jr. has been an ambassador and member of the supervisory board of the Heart to Children organization for many years. In Ukraine, he transfers his knowledge and popularizes sports and education among children and youth. So, together with his brother Vitaly, the famous athlete supported almost 2 million children through the programs of his own Klitschko Foundation.

For example, since 2011, the foundation has been running the School of Success, an educational project for adolescents that helps to acquire 21st century skills - project management, creative thinking, communication, financial literacy, fact-checking, public speaking..

Wladimir Klitschko dominated the heavyweight division from 2005 to 2015 when he lost on points to Tyson Fury.

In 2017, Klitschko Jr. retired after being knocked out by Anthony Joshua.

Vladimir may return to boxing to surpass George Foreman's record.

Recently it became known that the Ukrainian is helping the legendary Evander Holyfield with his return to the ring.