(c) Geoff Ward

A huge range of activity took place around the world in the last few days to mark World Malaria Day. It would be impossible to cover it all but we wanted to share some of the highlights!

Local and global leaders spoke out about the pressing need to maintain the momentum. Ban Ki-moon UN Secretary General issued a World Malaria Day message. with the news he is making malaria is a key priority for his second term. The Prime Minister spoke of the leadership role of the UK in the fight against malaria; and former Prime Minister

By Rob Henchoz

My friend Richard Atherton and I are keen car enthusiasts and rally drivers. We decided to raise money for Malaria No More UK because having lived in Angola and worked on the West coast of Africa we saw the effects of malaria on both locals and expats. The aim to eliminate the disease is clearly achievable with some financial commitment.

We joined the London to Cape Town race in January 2012 in our Volvo 144 which we dubbed “the Camel”. We left the UK on a filthy New Years Day – I got a shoe full of water before we started! Lots of Volvo owners and customers turned up to see us off which was fantastic, including supporters from both our car clubs: The Sporting Car Club of Norfolk and Chelmsford Motor Club.

Andy Murray (c) Max Milligan

Andy Murray has got behind our campaign in support of Live Below the Line! He’s offered up a special tennis package prize which will be awarded to our top fundraiser for the challenge! This means, whoever secures the most sponsorship money from their time living on £1 a day for all food and drink for five days in May will win one of Andy’s signed racquets, a signed T-shirt and a pair of tickets to see Andy play at a match in the UK this summer!

This week we are celebrating American Independence Day – the Fourth of July – with our Malaria No More colleagues in the US. This historic date marks the United States’ independence from Great Britain, and is usually commemorated with amazing firework displays, pageantry and general festivity.

Malaria No More in the US and UK work independently to lead activities in our respective counties. However, we also work closely in many areas and would like to celebrate this and share some of the key elements of our partnership.

David Beckham met families affected by malaria while in Sierra Leone with UNICEF

David Beckham speaks out in today’s Sun about the impact of malaria on family life in Africa and the fact that no father should lose his child or a loved one to malaria. Read his article here.

Stephen O'Brien MP in Uganda

Our online auction to bid for Liverpool FC money-can’t-buy prizes is now in full swing! Stephen O’Brien, is an MP representing the nearby area of Eddisbury. He also knows all about malaria having grown up in Tanzania and then as the founder of the All Parliamentary Party Group for Malaria while an MP and now a Minister in the Department for International Development overseeing work on malaria.

David Beckham & Andy Murray at the launch of Malaria No More UK

David Beckham and Andy Murray are founding members of the Malaria No More UK Leadership Council and committed supporters of our mission to reach near zero deaths from malaria by 2015.

In the countdown to World Malaria Day, their messages of support urge for continued action to help end deaths in Africa. David Beckham, also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador says: “It’s encouraging to know that our UK support is having a direct, positive effect and saving lives from malaria. Last year, the charity helped protect two million people from malaria in Africa, which is a great achievement. Malaria is still a very serious issue though and remains the biggest single killer of young children in Africa. Please join me this World Malaria Day and donate to support Malaria No More UK.”

World Malaria Day is a moment to acknowledge the global progress to make malaria no more and Andy Murray says: “It’s impressive to see the results so far in the fight against malaria, with a drop of over 20% in global malaria deaths in the last decade, however, we need to keep up this important work. I hope this World Malaria Day, people across the country will get behind Malaria No More UK and its inspiring goal to reach near zero deaths from malaria by 2015.”

Find out more:

• andymurray.com
• facebook.com/beckham

Mozzy Man at Anfield Stadium

Our very own Mozzy Man made a guest appearance on the pitch during half time at Monday night’s game between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC to help raise awareness about malaria in the run up to World Malaria Day.

We’re auctioning five pairs of tickets + hospitality, for Liverpool’s New Year’s Day home game against Bolton Wanderers – kindly donated by Standard Chartered. One or more pairs of tickets would make a fantastic Christmas gift for a football fan or a great way for you and a group of friends to welcome in 2011. Place your bids now at www.givinglots.co.uk.