WAKE OF THE TSUNAMI: Soccer star David Beckham is to launch a worldwide TV appeal for child victims of the tsunami disaster today after being appointed a Unicef goodwill ambassador.

The England captain will make a 30-second public service announcement asking the public to help the 1.5 million children affected by the catastrophe.

Unicef needs £76.5 million to fund humanitarian aid for children in the devastated areas.

"I, like any other person, was deeply moved by the effects of the tsunami disaster," Beckham said.

"So many people have lost loved ones and particularly children have suffered greatly, with over a million who are vulnerable and at risk of disease.

"People have been so generous to date and it is important that they continue to donate money to organisations such as Unicef to help in aid relief and reconstruction.

"It is one of the proudest moments of my life to be given the role of Unicef goodwill ambassador and I hope to play a part in supporting these children at their time of need."

A father of two himself, Beckham has been a supporter of Unicef since his days at Manchester United.

He filmed the TV appeal in Copenhagen, Denmark, this week where he visited Unicef's supply division, which packs emergency supplies and ships them out to those in need.

How to help

TO donate call the Disasters Emergency Committee on 0870 60 60 900 or visit website www.dec.org.uk

Or you can send cheques, payable to The Sri Lankan High Commission Disaster Fund, to the Evening Advertiser at 100 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BE and we will forward them to the Sri Lankan High Commission, which can be called 0207 2621841.

Mark the envelope Tsunami Appeal. To donate supplies take them along to hangar D1 at Wroughton Airfield and to volunteer phone Manolito Chandos on 07708 415362.

To volunteer at an Oxfam shop to help sort the donations call the Regent Street shop in Swindon on 01793 511138 or the Boroughfield Precinct shop in Wootton Bassettt on 01793 850947.

If you are organising an event tell us on 01793 501806.