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BIG-HEARTED soccer star Gareth Barry has donated his holiday VILLA — to give needy children the chance of a sunshine getaway.
The Manchester City star, who joined the world's richest club from Aston Villa in a £12million deal two years ago, wants poor and sick youngsters to benefit from his Spanish home when he is not using it.
So he has handed over the keys to the luxury home to bosses at the charity Sun and Happiness, which provides holidays for youngsters in poverty or battling life-threatening diseases.
Generous ... Gareth BarryMidfielder Gareth, 30, hopes the children will lap up the sunshine and enjoy swimming in the pool at his sun-kissed hideaway in Puerto Banus, near Malaga.
The England star, who has been capped 46 times, is also urging other multi-millionaire players in the Premier league to follow in his footsteps.
He said: "It's a pleasure to donate my holiday home to this fantastic charity and I look forward to hearing the holiday stories of these amazing kids."
A club insider said: "He hasn't made a big deal about it. This is just something he wanted to do. It's a smashing gesture, especially when so many footballers get criticised for their Blingtastic lifestyles.
"The players know they are paid amazingly well - and it's so refreshing when they give something back to those less fortunate."
Sun and Happiness was formed by single mum Kim Wood and has been signing up celebrities to make similar donations — with Barry among the first to join the scheme.
Kim has spent her life working in the travel and property business — and has managed the homes of many footballers during her career.
She said: "We have only been established for a few months but we are already attracting a lot of interest from players in the Premier League and beyond. We would love to get more players involved too.
"Gareth Barry was one of the first footballers to donate his holiday home to this worthwhile cause - and his involvement will surely inspire many other celebrities to get involved."
Other footballers who have already said they will take part include Middlesbrough captain Matthew Bates and Wolves defender Stephen Ward.
BIG-HEARTED soccer star Gareth Barry has donated his holiday VILLA — to give needy children the chance of a sunshine getaway.
The Manchester City star, who joined the world's richest club from Aston Villa in a £12million deal two years ago, wants poor and sick youngsters to benefit from his Spanish home when he is not using it.
So he has handed over the keys to the luxury home to bosses at the charity Sun and Happiness, which provides holidays for youngsters in poverty or battling life-threatening diseases.
Generous ... Gareth BarryMidfielder Gareth, 30, hopes the children will lap up the sunshine and enjoy swimming in the pool at his sun-kissed hideaway in Puerto Banus, near Malaga.
The England star, who has been capped 46 times, is also urging other multi-millionaire players in the Premier league to follow in his footsteps.
He said: "It's a pleasure to donate my holiday home to this fantastic charity and I look forward to hearing the holiday stories of these amazing kids."
A club insider said: "He hasn't made a big deal about it. This is just something he wanted to do. It's a smashing gesture, especially when so many footballers get criticised for their Blingtastic lifestyles.
"The players know they are paid amazingly well - and it's so refreshing when they give something back to those less fortunate."
Sun and Happiness was formed by single mum Kim Wood and has been signing up celebrities to make similar donations — with Barry among the first to join the scheme.
Kim has spent her life working in the travel and property business — and has managed the homes of many footballers during her career.
She said: "We have only been established for a few months but we are already attracting a lot of interest from players in the Premier League and beyond. We would love to get more players involved too.
"Gareth Barry was one of the first footballers to donate his holiday home to this worthwhile cause - and his involvement will surely inspire many other celebrities to get involved."
Other footballers who have already said they will take part include Middlesbrough captain Matthew Bates and Wolves defender Stephen Ward.