Lace Up. Save Lives

Didier Drogba has joined a host of leading footballers in backing a campaign to fight HIV and AIDS.

Prem stars join forces to support the fight against HIV and Aids

Premier League stars including Chelsea's Didier Drogba have teamed up with Bono to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. The Ivory Coast international is one of a number of top footballers who is supporting a campaign by Nike to sell red football boot laces for the U2 singer's AIDS charity (RED). Alongside Drogba, who wore red laces when he fired two goals past Arsenal in Chelsea's 3-0 win on Sunday, were team mate Joe Cole, Andrei Arshavin and Denilson of Arsenal, Everton's Lucas Neill, and Fulham's Clint Dempsey and Seol Ki-Hyeon. The "Lace Up. Save Lives" campaign aims to deliver funds to support programs that offer education and medication on the ground, while also harnessing the power of sport to engage youth around the world to fight disease. One hundred per cent of the profits from the £4 (RED)NIKE laces will be split equally between The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and Nike football-based community initiatives that deliver education and understanding around HIV/AIDS prevention. "The (RED) Nike laces can tie athletes around the world together with people living under threat from HIV in Africa in a beautiful way," said Professor Michel D. Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund. "Wearing these (RED) laces is a sign that you care about others and it helps us to protect and treat millions of people who every day risk infection or struggle with the effects of HIV." The laces went on sale on December 1st at Nike Store locations and key retailers worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.joinred.com/