David Beckham marks 10 years as Unicef goodwill ambassador with fund for children in danger

David Beckham has launched a new Unicef project to mark his 10-year-long collaboration with Unicef UK as a goodwill ambassador.

The scheme, entitled 7: The David Beckham Unicef Fund, has been set up to help protect millions of children from danger.

"I feel so honoured to be part of Unicef's amazing work for children," Beckham said during a press conference marking the anniversary.

"Today, the need to help children has never been greater and since retiring I have more time and I want to do so much more. That's why I am setting up this new fund with Unicef. 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.

"This is the moment for me to do what I can to help children in every corner of the world. This is something I want my own children to be proud of."

Unicef said: "Through 7, David will use his powerful global voice, influence and connections to raise vital funds and advocate for change for children across every region of the world and in every aspect of Unicef's work for children."

Beckham started supporting the humanitarian organisation in 2005 and focused on how to use sport to enhance development and change children's lives.

He travelled to several countries including Sierra Leone, South Africa and the Philippines to shed light on issues affecting children such as food crisis and malnutrition.

Beckham helped launch Unicef's Philippines Typhoon children's appeal, which raised £5.4m in the UK alone.

He also collaborated with Robbie Williams in 2014 for the launch of Unicef's Children in Danger campaign which aims to protect children from violence, disease, hunger and the chaos of war and disaster.