Chelsea Football Club and French National team forward Olivier Giroud took time out of his busy schedule this week to fulfil his role as Heart Ambassador for the Monaco Humanitarian Collective (MCH).

The MCH is comprised of 17 Monegasque NGOs, four operational bodies, and four health centres in the region and is coordinated entirely by the Principality’s Department of International Cooperation. Since its inception in 2008, more than 400 children have been successfully operated on, giving them second chances at life.

After a presentation given by MCH to impart the collective’s most recent news, Giroud met with representatives from the Monagasque Red Cross and Rencontres Africaines, as well as caregivers from the Cardio-Thoracic Centre of Monaco (CCM), the Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG) and several local dignitaries.

He even took time to visit Jinno, an eight year old from Madagascar, who is returning home this week after an operation to repair a heart malformation.

Giroud will also be on hand Friday in Juan-les-Pins to receive a €10,000 check on behalf of the collective given by former footballer and World Volleyball Championship organiser Eric Roy.