DAVID BECKHAM "launched a funding initiative in collaboration with Unicef that he hopes will raise millions to protect children around the world," according to Les Roopanarine of the London GUARDIAN. Beckham "aims to harness his global celebrity and personal influence to secure support for seven development schemes in seven countries." Named after the shirt number that he wore for clubs including ManU and Real Madrid, 7: the David Beckham Unicef fund "reflects Beckham’s desire to step up his commitment to an organisation he has served" since his support was first sought by former UN Secretary General KOFI ANNAN a decade ago. Beckham: "I’ve always felt I could do more, but retiring [in May 2013] has freed up a little bit more time for me." The projects "include a child protection scheme in El Salvador, which has the world’s highest homicide rate for children, a nutrition programme in Papua New Guinea, where almost half of under fives are malnourished, and an Aids and HIV scheme in Swaziland." Unicef Communications Dir PALOMA ESCUDERO said, "The idea was to select seven countries that really need the funds and are also fighting against some of the biggest dangers that children face today. David has chosen to speak about areas that sometimes men, sometimes governments, are not very attentive to" (GUARDIAN, 2/9).
