Yao happy to slam-dunk one for kids in need

By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-05 08:53

In 2004 he was the main character of the documentary The Year of the Yao. He also did voice-over work for the US animated television series The Simpsons with NBA player LeBron James and figure skating star Michelle Kwan.

This time, lending his voice to an animated Chinese movie is also a part of his charity work, since he will donate his earnings to the Shanghai Special-care Foundation, which he started with other people who worked for the 2007 Shanghai Special Olympic Games.

Established in July 2008, the foundation helps mentally handicapped people and the poor. Part of the box office income from the movie will go to the foundation.

As one of the top sports stars in China, the 28-year-old Yao has always been involved in charity.

He created the Yao Ming Foundation to build schools in China after the May 2008 earthquake and supports charities like Chi Heng Foundation, China Youth Development Foundation and Project Hope.

In April, a special school was set up in Jiuquan city of northwestern China's Gansu province for children with learning disabilities.

"There is no boundary for love and there is a large group of people in the world who need our care," said the Shanghai native. "I hope more people go to the cinema to enjoy the movie and support the charity."

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