Aussie cricket captain Pat Cummins has hit out at critics of his humanitarian focus as he reveals the latest work in remote Indigenous communities: ‘some things are too important to care about people’s feelings’
- Pat Cummins recently spent time in the Northern Territory
- Visit the remote Indigenous community of Borroloola
- The experience was an eye-opener for the Aussie cricket captain
- Known for its humanitarian work, the Ashes will begin on June 16
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has a blunt message for those who continue to criticize his humanitarian work – educate yourself.
With the Ashes starting on June 16, the 30-year-old is desperate to lift the urn in England, but his passion when not wearing his white is the definition of noble.
Cummins recently spent time at Borroloola in the Northern Territory, and while many face the experience, the man who took 214 Test wickets is in his element.
The remote Indigenous community has many challenges – unemployment is at 50 percent and 66 percent of its children are classified as vulnerable.
UNICEF, famous for protecting children in disaster zones around the world, has established Australian operations in Borroloola and Indigenous footballer John Moriarty has also set up his own foundation.
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has a message for those who continue to criticize his humanitarian work – educate yourself
Cummins recently spent time in Borroloola in the Northern Territory, where life is very different to living in the capital city
Locally run Indi Kindi continues to thrive, but other barriers remain, notably Borroloola’s geographic isolation.
It’s a two-and-a-half-hour light plane flight or a 12-hour drive from Darwin or a 14-hour drive from Alice Springs, making life’s necessities not easy to obtain.
Thanks to UNICEF and Moriarty’s Indi Kindi program, which has been running since 2012, local children have daily access to hot food and basic health care.
But as Cummins now knows, more can be done.
Sport is an obvious passion for young people – and can also open doors to life in the ‘big smoke’.
Shadeene Evans, a proud Borroloola lad, has played in the W-League with Sydney FC and Adelaide United in recent years.
Ultimately Cummins felt it was his duty as a fellow Australian to help the Northern Territory.
‘So programs like this and the incredible work that UNICEF and the Moriarty Foundation do are so important,’ he told News Corp.
He also supports a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice in Parliament – and will continue to speak his mind on non-cricket matters, despite his detractors.
Cummins will soon fly to England ahead of the first Ashes Test on June 16 at Edgbaston
‘I think some things are too important to worry about how people feel,’ he said.
‘Being in a position where I can help, well, that’s way more important than dealing with a bit of flak every now and then from people who don’t want to help.
‘There is so much good being done by different people and organizations and great stories within that, that if I can help, and if people have a problem, well, who cares, really?
In October last year, Cummins was criticized for his hypocritical ‘ethical objections’ by Cricket Australia’s major sponsor Alinta Energy.
He reportedly approached CEO Nick Hockley and expressed personal concerns about Alinta Energy’s climate impact ahead of their contract renewal.
Cummins’ behavior has clearly gotten under the skin of some cricket supporters as the keen climate activist has featured in several previous ads for Alinta.
He has also been seen flying first class and driving a Range Rover SUV, both of which are notorious polluters.
The first Ashes Test against England was at Edgbaston on June 16.
