Daniel Ricciardo has been named as the ambassador for Save the Children in Australia as he explains the reasons behind the move.
Seeing his nephew and niece’s privileged life pushed McLaren F1 driver Ricciardo to join hands with Save the Children in Australia and become their ambassador in order to help the lesser privileged children to live a healthy life where they can be educated too.
“As someone who struggled a bit to remain engaged at school, I’m really excited to be able to tell my personal story to encourage, inspire, and support young people to build the social and emotional skills to achieve and succeed at school,” said Ricciardo.
“It was actually my niece and nephew who made me realise I wanted to work with Save the Children. Looking at them growing up, then thinking about my own childhood, I realised just how fortunate we are with family, schooling, and opportunities beyond.
“It made me realise that not every child has this, so I wanted to contribute in a meaningful way to children who might need some extra support. I am passionate about supporting young people who don’t connect with learning in the traditional classroom to demonstrate their talents in practical ways which helps them build the confidence to realise their potential,” summed up Ricciardo.
Even though Ricciardo has been busy with the 2021 F1 season, the Australian found time to share his experience and children under the Hands on Learning programme. The McLaren driver spent time with the children and understand their feelings.
“It’s been great to have some direct involvement with the Hands on Learning program,” said Ricciardo. “Being able to witness young people set a goal, work towards that task and succeed, it’s really empowering for them – and me. Just hearing these children talk with genuine excitement and passion about these opportunities, it’s amazing and something I really think will set them up for future success.
“I’m just hopeful that I can share some stories and some advice, that can resonate with young people in their programs. Take it from me, I wasn’t the perfect student at school, but I chased something I was passionate about and for me that’s what’s important. If I can impart that to anyone, I’ll be really happy.
“I don’t think it’s easy being a child at the moment. Life just seems a little more complicated compared to when I was growing up. Right now, I think it’s challenging for young people to find their way, so I’m just hoping that we’re able to provide support, help them chase what they’re passionate about. They’re the future and we should be giving them the best possible head-start,” summed up Ricciardo.
With the 2021 F1 season done, Ricciardo may get time to meet the children in person as he plans to travel Australia in the winter break. He will have to undergo strict quarantine period of two weeks before he can enter the public world – something he is ready to do.
“I’ll be staring at a hotel room ceiling for two weeks,” said Ricciardo. “So I’m going to go home. I need to, I need to get home. But it’s difficult, it is difficult to get back. Yeah, unfortunately, they’re not making it easy, but it is what it is. And I’ll do that.
“I need to, I need to get home, see family and friends. So once I get out of the four walls, I should still get hopefully three or four weeks with friends and family. And it’s summer, so something to look forward to,” summed up Ricciardo.
Here’s Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris and Pato O’Ward on testing