Baku, June 10 (AZERTAC). Just few days before EURO 2012, Sergio Ramos, Spanish football star playing for Real Madrid and Spain national football team and UNICEF supporter, made a video statement calling Ukrainians to spend more time with their children.

«I`m a hero for millions of fans. But only you could be a hero for your child. Spend more time with your child. Play football together. Greetings to Ukraine!” says Sergio in his statement to Ukrainian football fans.

When talking about his childhood Sergio recalls that he started playing football when he was 6 years old at "El Camas" club, which was situated in another city. Thus every day, family members used to accompanied Sergio by train to his football training. «I will never forget the effort that my family made helping me to become someone important in football. I appreciate this and I will always be grateful to my parents, my siblings and my whole family, who have given me the support. It has determined my life», said Sergio in an interview for the Real Ramos program in Real Madrid TV.

On the eve of EURO-2012 UNICEF Ukraine reminds about how important is to create friendly and protective environments in a country with 60,000 vulnerable children. According to statistics, the average Ukrainian father spends four minutes per day with his child. Just one third of Ukrainian fathers help their children with homework; 10 per cent look after their child when he or she is ill. The father`s active engagement during pregnancy, delivery and the child`s upbringing is vital for the child`s emotional and social development.

“UNICEF calls on all fathers - and those who plan to become one - to spend more time with their children. Every child needs a father to play and be a part of one`s live. UNICEF promoted a responsible parenting in Ukraine and helped fathers to understand that a child`s success in life depends on the time, love and care a father gives to him or her”, comments Yukie Mokuo, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine.

Since 2007, Sergio Ramos had been supporting UNICEF and various projects for children, specially focused on sport as a key tool for children development.

Among other activities, Sergio Ramos travelled to Senegal in 2010 for visiting UNICEF Child Survival programs. He spent time with UNICEF workers and visited a health care centre, schools and a reception centre, where he met vulnerable children and played football with some of them.