David Beckham Announces New Decade-Long UNICEF Campaign (Because We Didn't Love Him Enough Before...)

Despite presenting an award at last night’s BAFTAs David Beckham was showing no signs of tiredness this morning at Google HQ as he hosted a press conference to launch a new campaign with UNICEF - 7. And Marie Claire had a front row seat!

Just when you thought you couldn’t love David Beckham anymore, he announces a new campaign with UNICEF – 7 which promises to help vulnerable children across the world.

Marking Becks’ tenth year as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, the campaign, which has been named after David’s trademark lucky 7 shirt number (and Harper’s middle name), will tackle seven areas of priority around the world, including El Salvador and Papua New Guinea.

Looking dapper in a navy suit, the former footballer-turned-humanitarian was eager to stress how keen he is to use his fame for a worthwhile cause.

'My life hasn’t just been about football, it’s about helping others too,' he said.

The 39-year old explained that being David Beckham gives him access to some of the most influential people in the world. 'My fame, my success that I had on the field, opens doors for exactly things like this - the protection of children, the protection of women.

'My fame helps in many different ways… I can go into certain countries and ask to meet a Prime Minister, whether they want to meet me or not, but their children might want to meet me and that opens doors.'

He went on to reveal that despite being one of the most famous people in the world, there is still one place he hasn’t been recognised… The Amazon rainforest.

'That was the only part of the world where I’ve actually been and not been recognised,' he laughed. 'The tribe we visited didn’t even know what football was!'

Giving more details about the campaign which has identified seven key regions of the world, where urgent funding is required to help save and change children’s lives, David also revealed that he hopes his children and wife, Victoria Beckham, will get involved.

'The children will get involved because I’m going to make them, but they’re excited about that… they know exactly what needs to be done.'

'Victoria is obviously working with the UN, which is very important as Victoria has got a voice which people also listen to and respect - she’s doing some great work.

'I want my family and friends to be involved, so hopefully they will make certain trips with me. They are only small but there will be certain trips that hopefully they will be able to make with me.'

Something 15-year-old Brooklyn is definitely keen to do: 'On the school run this morning, Brooklyn told me how much he wanted to go on a trip. Whenever I come back from a trip I tell the children all about it and show them the pictures I’ve taken. The children all understand my work.'

He added: '7 represents my ongoing commitment to helping children who need it most around the world. This is me stepping up my support - because I can, because I want to, because the outcome will help change the lives of millions of children. Everything I have done, my football career, my family, has led to this point – this is the moment for me to do what I can to help children in every corner of the world. I can’t stress how important this is. It’s a bold move from UNICEF, and from me, but it’s an important one.'

For more information and to add your voice, please visit 7.org.

#Beckham7 #putchildrenfirst