David Beckham

When not kicking a soccer ball, looking effortlessly handsome, or serving as a key plot piece in films (see: Bend it Like Beckham), David Beckham is busy making the planet a better place. Beckham always excelled on the soccer fields, even from a very young age, but he has also been a superstar in terms of his charitable affiliations.

Beckham has become the face of UNICEF, a charity that strives to end suffering for children all over the world. After helping UNICEF for various years, in 2005, UNICEF appointed Beckham as their Goodwill Ambassador. While UNICEF universally helps children in need, Beckham specifically focused on UNICEF’s Sports for Development program, which promotes the usage of sports for kids to help overcome poverty, disease and conflict.

More recently, in 2009, Beckham joined Malaria No More, an organization striving to wipe out the disease across the globe. During the UEFA champions league final, Malaria No More ran advertisements featuring Beckham to inform the masses about the cause and to make an impression on just how preventable Malaria could be. Beckham, Andy Murray and Denise Lewis are all celebrity faces of Malaria No More.

Beckham has also long-supported the troops overseas, claiming that “they are the real heroes.” He promised to help raise £20 million for Help for Heroes, and in doing so donated an autographed jersey of his to be auctioned off.

It will likely come as little surprise that Beckham infuses his charitable pursuits with sports. The David Beckham Academy, founded in March 2006, is essentially a school offered to kids who otherwise would not have the proper soccer training Beckham had as a youngster. The academy is for kids ages 8-15, and gives them in-depth training and lessons from some of the sports brightest minds.

Beckham and his wife, Victoria, also have a joint-charity called the Victoria and David Beckham Charitable Trust.  Founded in 2005, the nonprofit specifically addresses various needs of deprived children. One of their foremost initiatives is to provide wheelchairs for disabled children. The couple also takes various trips around the world to lend a hand to some of the more slum-filled areas.

Beckham was born in London, England on May 2, 1975. The world-famous athlete started his professional soccer career at the young age of 17 back in 1992. After playing for various European teams, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, Beckham moved to the United States to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He is also married to former Spice Girls band member, Victoria Beckham.

Highlights

• Has headed UNICEF’s “Sports for Development” program since 2005.
• Affiliated with “Malaria No More” since 2009.
• Donated to Help for Heroes in 2009.
• Has a joint charitable foundation with his wife, which he started in 2005.
• He founded his soccer academy in 2006.

What you can do

• You can read more about UNICEF or Malaria No More since he is an adamant support of both charities.
• Volunteer your time to local children's sports. Whether it's as a referee, coach, or just an audience member, sports has been a great tool to keep kids focused and off the streets.

Photo courtesy Calebrw via Wikimedia Commons