Bukayo Saka funds 120 life-changing operations for children in Nigeria

Saka teamed up with the charity BigShoe to help

Bukayo Saka has helped to fund 120 life-changing operations for children in Nigeria. Saka is currently away with the England squad as he prepares to take part in his first World Cup but has still find time to make the heartwarming gesture. The Arsenal forward teamed up with the charity BigShoe to play a crucial role in the medical procedures that for children of Kano which took place last month. His work came as a response to concerns over diseases such as inguinal hernias or brain tumours in the African country. Speaking about his contribution he said: "I feel blessed to be in a position where I can contribute to making the children's lives easier and better through these surgeries. "I still feel very connected to Nigeria. For me, it is very important to use my abilities to have a positive impact where I can and I have to say a big thank you to the whole BigShoe team for making this possible. "For me it is important that every child has the same opportunity to achieve their dreams. "If I can do anything to help then I really want to do this, it was very important to me. It makes me happy when I can see the kids happy and their parents happy. "I want to do more and more and help as many children as I can." https://twitter.com/charles_watts/status/1593233430774284291 Thankfully the operations - which took place in October - were a success in Kano, the second biggest city in Nigeria. Saka isn't the only professional to help BigShoe after Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger pledged to donate all of his World Cup fees to children in Sierra Leone. Rüdiger set up the The Antonio Rudiger Foundation For Sierra Leone in January and has helped to support underprivileged children in the country ever since. His actions are in response to congenital clubfoot issue in the country, an issue that affects a lot of children throughout the entirety of their life.

"It hurts to see the circumstances in which Sierra Leonean children grow up," he explained.

"During surgery, the misalignment is corrected before patients can finally walk and participate in social life, after several months of follow-up treatment.

"I am grateful for these opportunities and I greatly appreciate the privileged position I find myself in."

Related links:

• England football ‘fans’ in Qatar name their favourite players
• Cristiano Ronaldo turned full Roy Keane when discussing ‘this generation’ of footballers