Kim Clijsters donates Brisbane International prize money to children's hospital

Belgian comeback queen Kim Clijsters has given her prize money of 37,000 dollars, which she won by beating Justine Henin in an epic three-set final at the Brisbane International, to children's hospital.

Clijsters donated her 37,000 dollars first prize to Brisbane's Royal Children's Hospital. The 26-year-old mother of one made the donation after being touched by the hardship of young cancer patients on a visit to the hospital a week before.

Clijsters said the children's struggles, and that of their families, had affected her deeply, The AAP reports.

"It changes you, it stuck with me for days. It's terrible to see kids (suffering). There were boys and girls Jada's age, 17 months and three years old, with brain tumours and everything. You wonder how it was possible for a young baby like that and it's not easy," she said.

Formerly known as "Aussie Kim" when previously engaged to Lleyton Hewitt, Clijsters has kept in touch with some parents of the young patients leading up to her final. She hoped her "small amount" would encourage others to support the public hospital.

"I thought what can I do? It's run by donations and sponsors everything. It's a small amount but hopefully it can help other people and other people can see it that it's a good thing and hopefully other people can donate. Maybe in the long run it can really help," Clijsters said.