The 36-year-old soccer superstar - who has three sons, Brooklyn, 12, Romeo, nine, and six-year-old Cruz, and seven-month-old daughter Harper Seven with wife Victoria - has highlighted the food shortage crisis facing 300,000 children in the country by urging people to get behind the operation.

He is quoted by The Sun newspaper as saying: "There is nothing I wouldn`t do for my children and I am sure you feel the same. Families in East Africa need you to do something."

David - a Goodwill Ambassador for Unicef, the United Nations` Children`s Fund - was among a number of stars including British comedian Eddie Izzard, his former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Britain`s Prince William and Duchess Catherine to back the publication`s campaign after East Africa experienced one of its worst droughts for 60 years.

Last year, David visited a Unicef-support centre in Manila, Philippines, to meet children who live on the streets in the capital city and admitted he was "so impressed" with the warmth shown by the kids.

Following his trip, he wrote on his Facebook page: "As a dad with young children, I can`t imagine how life was for these young children living and working on the streets.

"I was so impressed with the welcome and warmth from the children and the incredible work that the staff at the centre do. They are all very special people."
sections: Celebrities