Becks: I’d rather come and help these kids than manage England
SUNDAY MIRROR Legend on the new passion in his life
DAVID Beckham’s voice cracked with emotion as he recalled the faces of the young boys gathered around him. It had been a team talk like no other he had ever given – because he knew the result could be life or death. The England legend was in Swaziland in his role with children’s charity UNICEF in Swaziland – an African country with the world’s highest HIV infection rate, where 26 per cent of those aged 15 to 29 have the virus. He was there to impress on his audience the need for contraception. “I was sat with boys who had no- one to guide them, to say ‘ wear a condom’ , said Becks. “These boys need tha t gui d a n c e because they are not getting it from their fathers. “It’s one of the biggest reasons there is an HIV problem in Swaziland. “Being a leader is someone who can talk to and guide young people. “I try to do that. I hope I do it right.” Since retiring three years ago, Beckham admits his work with UNICEF has become a passion. He has walked into horrendous environments and learned how to hold back tears. “Before I did my first field trip I thought ‘this is going to be emotional’ – and it was,” he recalled. “I get more emotional talking about it when I get home than when I’m there.” His recent visit to Swaziland followed trips to Sierra Leone and the Philippines. He has been on missions to Cambodia, South Africa and Thailand. After a 10-year stint as global UNICEF ambassador, the dad-of-four offered to do more. He set up his 7 Fund to target specific problem areas.
“People say to me ‘ Why don’t you want to be a manager, an England manager?’,” he said.
“At the moment my passion is UNICEF. That’s what drives me. Being manager of a team, I’m just not passionate about that.” “Even before I had children I always really cared about children and their future. So when Kofi Annan contacted me to become an ambassador it was a proud moment. “There are places UNICEF can’t get to speak to a P r ime Minister or king. Luckily, sometimes all it takes is a king’s or PM’s son who wants a selfie – and it opens the door.” His 7 Fund has spent around £400,000 helping the charity support HIV victims and 56,000 AIDS orphans in Swaziland – and he said “with UNICEF you see where every penny goes”.
Becks was speaking as part of the Alan Howard Foundation/ JW3 Speaker Series at the JW3 Jewish community centre in North London.
He said he takes the time to explain his work to his children, Brooklyn, 17, Romeo, 13, Cruz, 11 and Harper, 5.
He said:“They know what I do and what Victoria does (as a UN goodwill ambassador). I want them to know I want to work hard for all the children and their futures.”
Being a leader is someone who can talk to and guide young people. I hope I do it right DAVID BECKHAM ON THE CHALLENGES OF HIS LEADING ROLE WITH UNICEF