Aloe Blacc met a school children in Ghana, every had been affected by malaria (c) Geoff Ward

This week over 10,000 people across the globe are making a change to their daily lives, to help end extreme poverty. They have chosen to Live Below the Line spending £1 on food and drink, to raise funds and awareness of the 1.4 billion people who live below the poverty line everyday for everything.

One of those people is artist and songwriter Aloe Blacc. Aloe was inspired to join the challenge after his trip to Ghana with us earlier this year to learn about malaria and the work taking place right now to make sure every home in the country has a mosquito net by the end of 2012.

(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

Aloe met 22 year old Rashida, an expectant Mum whose family had suffered from malaria, they now all sleep safely under mosquito nets (c) Geoff Ward

Today sees the launch of a short film showcasing our recent trip to Ghana with Aloe Blacc. Aloe took time out from his tour schedule to witness the efforts underway to meet Ghana’s goal to make sure every home in the country has access to a mosquito net by the end of 2012.

Aloe will be sharing his story with people across the world through interviews with Sir David Frost tonight on Aljazeera, on CNN on Tuesday and on the BBC World Service’s breakfast show The World Today on World Malaria Day, 25 April. He has also written an in depth blog for the Huffington Post.

Hot off the red carpet as a double BRIT award nominee, Soul singer Aloe Blacc is flying to Ghana this morning to learn about our work supporting the country’s historic goal to make sure everyone has access to a mosquito net by the end of 2012.

Aloe will spend the next four days in Ghana, with a film crew and our team members Arabella, Annemarie and Angela. Ghana’s entire population is at risk from malaria and he’ll be seeing firsthand the impact of this devastating disease which remains a leading killer of children and a major contributor to ongoing poverty in the country as it stops people from working and providing for their families.

Nigel & Damian in their Malaria No More UK t-shirts

A big cheer goes out to Jazz FM presenter Nigel Williams and his producer Damian Bamber who are stepping up their pace as they train for their half marathon in support of Malaria No More UK!

Nigel and Damian will be racing to raise funds to help save lives in the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 9 October. This 13.1 mile run crosses the heart of London and takes in four of the city’s most stunning parks – Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park and St James’s Park.

Aloe Blacc is supporting our Music To Save Lives campaign. Aloe is photographed by Dan Monick

Panamanian-American soul singer Aloe Blacc is supporting our Music To Save Lives campaign being aired on 20 and 21 August at the V Festival in Hylands Park, Essex and Weston Park, Staffordshire.

Gavin Laws, Standard Chartered

UPDATE: Listen again to the interview.

Jazz FM’s “Jazz In The City” is featuring a special guest interview tonight, as part of the station’s dedicated activity highlighting World Malaria Day and the five year partnership with Malaria No More UK.

Today sees the launch of Music To Save Lives, our awareness campaign produced by leading entertainment network MTV UK & Ireland (MTV UK) in the run up to World Malaria Day on 25th April 2011.

Premier Gospel has launched the Tunebreaker music award for unsigned artists and an opportunity to celebrate new gospel talent whilst helping end malaria deaths.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka

South African superstar and UN Envoy for Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, was joined by 70 guests in London yesterday at the first global screening of her new film documentary: “The Motherland Tour – A Journey of African Women with Yvonne Chaka Chaka”.