David Beckham launches new children's organisation

London - Football legend and male model David Beckham on Monday launched a new fund for the UN children's organisation UNICEF named "7" -- the number on the jersey he wore when he played for Manchester United.

"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," the 39-year-old told reporters at a presentation in London.

"My life has never been just about the football," said Beckham, who has been a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF for the past 10 years and has four children with his wife Victoria, a former pop star and fashion designer.


(David Beckham attends a photocall as he celebrates 10 years as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador at Google HQ on February 9, 2015 in London, England. Getty Images)

Paloma Escudero, a UNICEF official, said that the former Manchester and Real Madrid star "has raised awareness of major dangers facing children -- including malnutrition, Ebola and AIDS".

The fund is aimed at children living in warzones.

UNICEF estimates that one in 10 children in the world -- around 230 million -- live in such states.

Unicef shared the good news on their Twitter:

7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund is David's personal commitment to #PutChildrenFirst http://t.co/Cr1IjU4fCt #Beckham7 pic.twitter.com/pgKTMrsdrh

— UNICEF (@UNICEF) February 9, 2015

Beckham said his children were "excited" about the project, which uses the website 7.org.

"They know exactly what I'm announcing today and what needs to be done," he said.