Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova yesterday handed over more than $50,000 to victims of last year's school siege in Beslan, Russia.

The 17-year-old Siberian signed over the proceeds of an auction she held for the Porsche car she won at the season-ending WTA Tour Championships.

Sharapova's auction raised $56,300.

"Making this donation was the least that I could do to help the innocent victims in my country who were tragically affected by this senseless act," Sharapova said.

"I encourage everyone to do as much as they can to bring at least a little bit of comfort and support to these victims and their families who are still stricken with grief and sadness."

Mainly Chechen separatists took over a school with 1,300 hostages last September and held it for two days.

An operation by Russian security forces to end the siege collapsed in chaos and bloodshed in which 330 people - half of them children - were killed.