Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham can do no wrong winning medals, trophies and hearts.

The 20-year-old from Sydney, who stunned the Chinese crowd to win the men's 10-metre platform event, beat higher profile — and wealthier — athletes like Lance Franklin and Stephanie Rice to claim the top prize at the Sports Performer Awards in Melbourne.

Despite being the first Australian male to win a diving gold medal for 74 years, Mitcham has discovered since the Games that producing that record-breaking dive "hasn't been a financial goldmine".

"A lot of the general public seem to think you win a gold medal and people are knocking down the door to sponsor you," said David Lyall, of Mitcham's management group, Grand Slam International.

Mitcham primarily relies on the NSW Institute of Sport to fund his diving — he had to apply for a grant to be able to take his partner, Lachlan Fletcher, to the Games — although last night's gong comes with a welcome bonus for him: $50,000 from event sponsor Colonial First State.

That hasn't stopped Mitcham from helping those in need as well. Mitcham will join other celebrities and up to 150 volunteers to sell red ribbons on the streets of Sydney on World AIDS Day (Mon Dec 1).  

WHAT              Matthew Mitcham + other celebs selling red ribbons on World AIDS Day

WHERE            Taylor Square, Darlinghurst, Sydney (Oxford Hotel side)

WHEN              Monday 1 December

TIME                1:00pm

NB! Lord Mayor Clover Moore will also be at Taylor Square at 1pm with a large contingent of police from the Surry Hills Local Area Command including the Police band and mounted police.    

Red Ribbon volunteers will be at the following locations in Sydney on Monday 1 December:

·          Bondi Junction:        Oxford St Mall

·          Bondi Beach:           Roscoe Mall

·          CBD:                        Circular Quay, Hyde Park, Martin Place, Pitt St Mall, Queen Vic Bldg, Wynyard Station

·          Chatswood:            Chatswood St Mall

·          Darlinghurst:            Taylor Square

·          Darling Harbour      

·          King Cross:             El Alamein Fountain

·          Newtown:                               The Hub

Most locations operate between 7am and 7pm. Some suburban sites commence at 8am and shopping centre times coincide with normal operating hours. To volunteer to sell ribbons or for detailed and up-to-date information about selling locations, please visit www.redribbonday.org.au or contact Alberto on (02) 92062024.

Tags: beijing olympics, matthew mitcham, world aids day