A Star Turn

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AC MILAN star David Beckham accepted a �£100,000 cheque on behalf of UNICEF from the Rangers Charity Foundation's Charity Champion Barry Ferguson at tonight's friendly with the Serie A superstars at Ibrox Stadium.

 

David Beckham accepts a cheque on behalf of UNICEF from Barry Ferguson from the Rangers Charity FoundationFormer Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Beckham is currently on loan at Milan from LA Galaxy and has been a supporter of UNICEF since his days at Old Trafford, when he first witnessed the work of the children's charity in Thailand in 2001.

 

He became a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in 2005 when he launched a global appeal for the children affected by the tsunami in South Asia.

 

Last year he travelled to Sierra Leone, the country with the highest under-five mortality figures, to draw attention to the issue of child survival.

 

Last October, the Rangers Charity Foundation announced a ground-breaking collaboration with UNICEF which sees Rangers become the charity's only Scottish football partner, joining other partner clubs on the world stage such as Barcelona, Manchester United and AC Milan.

 

David Beckham, AC MilanFormer England captain Beckham was delighted to learn the Rangers Charity Foundation has pledged to raise �£300,000 for UNICEF in the next three years and that will help fund an education project in India across 15 states, reaching over 45,000 children in over 200 schools.

 

Beckham said: "It's great to be able to accept this cheque from the Rangers Charity Foundation on behalf of UNICEF. As an Ambassador I've seen the impact of UNICEF's work with children worldwide.

 

"The �£300,000 pledged by the Rangers Charity Foundation will make a real difference to the lives of thousands of children across India, giving many the chance to go to school for the first time. This money will help to transform children's lives."

 

Rangers Chief Executive Martin Bain, a Trustee of the Charity Foundation, added: "The club is delighted that UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham is backing our efforts to make a difference and recognises the fantastic work of the Rangers Charity Foundation through this partnership with UNICEF.

 

"Today's �£100,000 cheque represents funding for the first phase of the Indian education project and will undoubtedly make a positive difference to the lives of thousands of children.

 

"Both UNICEF UK and Rangers Football Club have strong ambitions for this partnership and will be working closely together during the years ahead to ensure the project's success whilst at the same time promoting our shared humanitarian values."

 

Barry FergusonUNICEF UK Director of Fundraising Fiona Hesselden said: "UNICEF thanks Rangers fans for their generosity and support.

 

"With their continued commitment, our partnership will give thousands of children the chance of a brighter future."

 

Charity Champion Barry Ferguson and Foundation Manager Connal Cochrane will be visiting communities in India who will benefit from the project during the summer.

 

Ferguson said: "The work of the Rangers Charity Foundation benefits thousands of people in Glasgow, across Scotland and throughout the world, showing what a great charitable spirit we have at Rangers.

 

"We are very proud to be associated with UNICEF and I am looking forward to visiting the project in India later this year to see first hand the work being done to help children in local communities."

 

The Rangers Charity Foundation also aims to donate �£100,000 per year to local projects via its National and Community Charity Partners which this season are RNIB Scotland and Fairbridge in Glasgow and through the Foundation's ongoing Rangers Community Grants Scheme

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This'll be the same UNICEF that recently sought assurances from Rangers that it will crack down on supporters singing the Famine Song at matches. And also hoped we wouldn't be using any references to BJK in future?

 

They seem to like the money after all, contaminated as it is with Rangers bigotry.