Heartwarming new pictures show David Beckham visiting a village in Swaziland, Africa while on a trip there with Unicef.

The soccer ace is visiting the drought-hit region as part of his ongoing work with the charity, which is saving hundreds of lives.

David set up his ‘7’ fund with Unicef last year to help children in needCredit: PA:Press Association

David, 41, can been seen laughing and joking with the children in the Makhewu community, which has been hit with the worst drought for decades.

Droughts are affecting large areas of Eastern and Southern Africa which is putting children and families affected by HIV and Aids at further risk.

Speaking about his trip, David admitted being a father has made it hard for him to visit children who are suffering from HIV and Aids.

David and his wife Victoria Beckham are parents to Brooklyn, 17, Romeo, 13, Cruz 11 and their four-year-old daughter Harper.

David said being a father made it hard to visit children suffering from HIV and Aids Credit: PA:Press Association

He said: “Many of the children I met, some of whom were the same age as my own children, had lost one or both parents to Aids and are themselves now living with HIV.

“As a father of four, it was hard to hear their stories about the daily challenges they face, which are now being made so much worse by this devastating drought.”

David Beckham chats to some of the 26 million children affected by the droughts in southern AfricaCredit: PA:Press Association

Last year, the former English captain launched a new fund with Unicef called ‘7’ that would work to protect vulnerable young people around the world.

The fund – which is named after the number on his England and Manchester United jerseys – focuses on youngsters at risk on violence, abuse or disease.

Speaking about the fund, he said: “Last year I launched my own Fund with Unicef because I wanted to help build a safer world for children.

“I feel very proud to be in Swaziland to see how the money raised through the 7 Fund is helping to keep vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS healthy and safe.”

David Beckham is calling on the global community to raise funds for food and clean water for the African region Credit: PA

He showed off his inked arms in a black tshirt that had a white Unicef logo on the front and spent time with families, mothers and children living with HIV and aids in some of the poorest parts of the Lumombo and Shiselweni regions.

He said: “Children who are already incredibly vulnerable because of HIV are now at risk from a new crisis that could have a devastating impact on their lives.

“Across eastern and southern Africa, millions of children are at risk from hunger, water shortages and disease.

“I am speaking out for these children to make sure they are not forgotten at a time when they so desperately need our help.”

David Beckham urges support for children in crises around the world

He called on the global community to help provide food, medicine and clean water for the estimated 26 million children who have been affected by the harsh droughts over the past two years.

David, who is also an ambassador for the UN Children’s Fund said he wants his children to actively be involved in charity work as well.

Speaking at the time, he said: “Everything I have done, my football career, my family, has led to this point – this is the moment for me to do what I can to help children in every corner of the world. This is something I want my own children to be proud of.”