Ryan and team mates fronting a HIV prevention campaign in Sierra Leone, 2008
© UNICEF UK/2008
Ryan joins children from a gender equality programme in South Africa
© UNICEF UK/2008/Karin Schermbrucker
Brief biography
Ryan Giggs became an Ambassador for UNICEF UK in August 2006, in recognition of his support for the organisation's work with children following his six-year involvement in Manchester United's 'United for UNICEF' partnership.
Over the years, Ryan has seen first hand the issues affecting children across the world and the impact of UNICEF's work.
In 2009, Ryan and Manchester United team mate Patrice Evra took time out from their pre-season tour of Asia to visit children at a UNICEF-supported Positive Living Drop-in Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. See the Man Utd stars visit UNICEF project in Malaysia photo gallery.
In 2008, Ryan and his Manchester United team mates Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra fronted a multi-media communications campaign promoting HIV prevention amongst young people in Sierra Leone. The campaign delivered HIV prevention messages to 3 million young people in the country.
On tour in South Africa in July 2006, Ryan learnt about the challenges faced by the nation's children, including HIV/AIDS and violence.
Ryan and Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones surprised pupils at St Luke's School in Salford, Manchester in January 2007, when they made an unannounced visit to collect over 100 pairs of shoes gathered by pupils in aid of this year's BBC Blue Peter Shoe Biz Appeal. The appeal is raising funds for Children's Corners, which help children who have been made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS. Read more about Ryan's visit to St Luke's School.
In 2007, Ryan went to China with Manchester United and met young girls from Sichuan Province who have been helped by a trafficking prevention programme funded by the club. In 2003, he was among the players who met the then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to sign up to UNICEF's 'End child exploitation' campaign.
Ryan has helped UNICEF to raise much-needed funds by fronting several TV appeals during emergencies such as the Asian Tsunami in 2004.
Ryan Giggs says:
“As a father, the future of my child is always on my mind. So to be asked to become a UNICEF Ambassador, and to have the opportunity to help other children who so desperately need it, is a great honour and one that I am proud to accept. HIV and AIDS is having a devastating effect on children across the world, so through my position I hope to help UNICEF raise awareness about these important issues.”
