In 2009, Malaria No More UK was chosen by Sky as the recipient charity for the Sky Red Button Campaign during the UEFA Champions League Final.

The UEFA Champions League Final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC was shown live on Sky Sports on Wednesday 27 May.

The charity was selected due to its inherent links with sport and particularly football which plays a key role in driving public awareness in the UK that malaria is a preventable and treatable disease and that ending malaria deaths is ultimately achievable.

Sky also promoted Malaria No More UK with an ad on Sky Sports featuring David Beckham. Beckham is a founding member of the Leadership Council for Malaria No More UK and fronted the launch of the charity in London in April 2009. The ad sees Beckham kicking a penalty into a net less goal to highlight the urgent need for mosquito nets as a tool to help prevent spread of malaria in Africa.

“It’s truly incredible to think we can stop this killer disease forever and it’s such a simple ask 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 buy a net, save a life and make malaria no more.”
David Beckham

“We’ve been thrilled with the public reaction and groundswell of support following our launch last month and this partnership with Sky will ensure we maintain the momentum. I hope football fans around the country will get behind our first goal which is to ensure all those at risk of malaria in Africa have access to a mosquito bed net by the end of 2010”.
Sarah Kline, Executive Director for Malaria No More

“This is a great opportunity to support the work of Malaria No More UK and reach an audience that might not otherwise be aware of this cause. We hope people will take a moment to make a donation through Sky’s Red Button Donation Service, during the UEFA cup final.”
Daniella Vega, Head of Community Investment at Sky

Find out more:

• Watch David in action with Andy Murray when they fronted Malaria No More UK’s launch at Wembley in 2009 playing tennis and football over the world’s longest tennis net, made out of mosquito netting
• Read about David Beckham and Andy Murray’s visit to Number 10 Downing Street where they met with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and hung a mosquito net over the iconic door of Number 10 Downing Street
• Find out more about other footballers helping to make malaria no more with United Against Malaria LINK TO United Against Malaria