Ginola unveils landmine website

David Ginola's new website was unveiled in Hong Kong

By Damian Grammaticas in Hong Kong

The football star David Ginola has launched a new campaign to help landmine victims around the world.

Ginola unveiled the Walk Without Fear website in Hong Kong at the start of a visit to Asia.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the plight of those affected by landmines and funds to help them rebuild their lives.

Ginola became spokesman for the International Red Cross Landmine Campaign two years ago, after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Spurs star became a spokesman on the issue after Diana's death

The Frenchman, who plays for English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur, will spend five days touring Cambodia, one of the countries worst affected by landmines.

Speaking at the launch, he said: "My involvement with the campaign over the past two years has been personally one of the most rewarding experiences in my life."

Landmines Toll

24,000 civilians are killed or maimed by landmines every year

8,000 to 10,000 of the victims are children

In the Asia-Pacific region, 16 out of 39 countries are affected by mines

Cambodia still has 10 million mines

Ginola was mobbed by fans in Hong Kong many of whom had waited for several hours to see him and get a copy of his autograph.

Neil Thorns of the British Red Cross, who is travelling with the footballer said: "David Ginola can bring an awareness of the problem.

"People respect him, and the important thing is to keep the issue in the public's minds."

Thousands of children are victims of landmines

The Red Cross estimates that 24,000 people are killed or injured by landmines every year.

In Cambodia alone, there are still 10 million mines which were laid during years of civil war.

David Ginola will visit de-mining programmes, as well as a clinic fitting artificial limbs in Phnom Penh later in May.

He is also scheduled to play in a friendly football match with amputees.