Drogba, Bono, Nike fight against AIDS

Footballer Didier Drogba, rock star Bono and sporting goods manufacturer Nike have joined forces to help the fight against AIDS and HIV in Africa.

Drogba and Bono were in London on Monday to launch the "lace up, save lives" initiative. Their backing for a partnership between Nike and the Red organization could raise millions of US dollars to support the fight against disease in Africa.

Niketown, London - 30th November 2009: Didier Drogba and Bono at  the global launch of the partnership between Nike and (RED). Red  Nike laces will be worn by footballers around the world in the  build-up to South Africa 2010 and 100% of the profits from sales of  the laces will provide money for education and medication programmes  designed to fight AIDS in Africa.

Didier Drogba, the Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, says, "This is the biggest fight, I think more than winning games.

I think saving life is very important and that's why I'm really proud that all my friends are here to support the product and really I invite everybody to lace up and save lives."

Bono, the co-founder of RED, says, "The World Cup is chance for Africa to show the world, what they're capable of and they need our partnership to beat malaria, to beat AIDS, but they won't need it for long."

The Nike Red laces will go on sale on Tuesday, which is world AIDS day. All profits from sales of the laces will be given to the Global Fund, who are leading the fight against AIDS, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa.