Leclerc helps support Italian Red Cross fundraising efforts

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is putting his weight behind a fundraising campaign for the Italian Red Cross and the institution's relief efforts amid the country's coronavirus crisis.

Last month, Italy quickly emerged as the European country most hard hit by the pandemic, with the majority of its near 100,000 cases and over 18,000 deaths - the most of any country in the world - concentrated in its northern Lombardy province.

• Mercedes: Production of COVID-19 breathing aid in full swing at Brixworth

The area's stringent lockdown which started a month ago has severely disrupted people's lives and economies, with Ferrari closing down its operations in Maranello in mid-March.

Leclerc joins Juventus football player Cristiano Ronaldo, AC Milan's Paolo Maldini and a host of other celebrities in encouraging donations towards the Italian Red Cross' relief efforts.

"In this moment of emergency even the tiniest action can lead to an enormous result," was Leclerc's message on social media.

"Let’s join together and continue fighting this challenge with courage. Help me support those who never give up."

So far, over €75,000 have been collected by the Italian Red Cross which will provide concrete support to families most in need by giving them food vouchers.

Head over to the Nevergiveup.tinaba website if you wish to donate.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter