David Beckham and Andy Murray back anti-malaria campaign

Joined by former athlete Denise Lewis, they visited 10 Downing Street this week to pledge their support for Malaria No More UK, a charity launched with the aim of preventing millions of deaths worldwide.

Beckham, the England midfielder, said: ‘For less than the cost of a football you can protect a family from dying.  I urge the UK public to get behind the Malaria No More UK campaign to save a life and make malaria no more.’

Tennis star Murray added:  ‘Malaria is completely preventable but yet it kills more children in Africa than any other single disease. We can radically change this, it is a huge opportunity and I’m urging the UK public to help save a life and get behind Malaria No More UK’

Malaria threatens half the world’s population and those most at risk are pregnant women and children. According to the Malaria No More UK, the disease kills one child every 30 seconds in Africa.

Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis said: ‘As a mother of three, finding out  that pregnant women are four times more likely  to contract malaria than other adults, well that really hits home. Here in the UK, malaria is not something an expecting mother needs to worry about.

‘Buying a £5 net will protect a mother and her child for up to five years,’ she added.

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