David Beckham described new UNICEF charity fund 7 as career high

The footballer turned businessman has announced a new charity initiative to protect children

David Beckham is planning to build a stadium in Miami’s port for a new football team he will own (Getty Images)

David Beckham has said that a new charity initiative he's launching with UNICEF is the apex of his career.

"Everything I have done, my football career, my family, has led to this point," Beckham said about the campaign, 7. "This is the moment for me to do what I can to help children in every corner of the world. This is something I want my own children to be proud of."

Longtime UNICEF goodwill ambassador Beckham has named the fund after the number on his Manchester United shirt.

Simon Fuller, Beckham's friend and business partner spoke of Beckham's passion for his charity work: "He has a unique connection to children, it is something quite extraordinary that I have witnessed for many years.

"Now that David is moving into the next phase of his professional life as a successful entrepreneur, he wants to be even more focused on making a difference."

The fund has been launched to help children in crisis. UNICEF have calculated that more than 15 million children were exposed to extreme violence in major conflicts in 2014, while millions more were hit by natural disasters and thousands were left orphaned and out of school as a result of the devastating Ebola epidemic.

Beyond emergencies, children were also at serious risk – with 168 million children across the globe engaged in child labour and many others victims of sexual violence, trafficking and female genital mutilation.

"Through 7, David Beckham will raise vital funds and advocate for change to ensure that UNICEF and its partners can deliver results for children - whether in education, water and sanitation, health care or social protection - and reach the children who need it most," a UNICEF spokesperson said.