England Footie stars team up with UNICEF to protect children from Malaria

England football team captain Wayne Rooney and his teammates have teamed up with children's charity UNICEF and launched a campaign to protect children from Malaria, which kills a child every 30 seconds.

The millionaire players hope to use their fame to promote the use of life-saving mosquito nets. Rooney was joined by goalkeeper Joe Hart, defender Gary Cahill and midfielder Jack Wilshere to launch the campaign.

Rooney said that it's unbelievable that every 90 minutes, the time it takes to play a football match, 180 children would lose their lives to malaria, The Daily Star reported.

He said that as captain of the England football team he is hugely proud that they are able to help UNICEF in its goal of protecting every child in danger from this disease.

Goalkeeper Hart said that he is used to defending his goal net against some of the best players in the world, but added that for some children, being able to sleep under a life-saving mosquito net can mean the last line of defence from this deadly disease.

The campaign, backed by the England Footballer's Foundation, kicked off with a poster featuring the stars alongside pupils from William Shrewsbury Primary School, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, the report added.