David Beckham holds back tears during his emotional UN speech

David Beckham was close to tears as he recalled the death of a four-year old girl in the Philippines when he spoke at the United Nations.

The father of four said that he was really affected by the story of Viana who was taken from her father’s arms and later drowned when they were caught in the 2013 typhoon.

The retired soccer star is a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador and recalled how he had spoken to the young girl’s family, including her sister Venus, who had managed to survive the disaster.

''On the night the typhoon hit the family were on their roof trying to protect themselves. The mother, tired, scared, exhausted, said to the father, can you please take Viana, so the father did,” he explained.

David was said to have struggled to maintain his composure as he recalled how the young girl’s father was knocked from the roof by a wave and when he woke was holding only one of his daughters.

“That story will never leave me,” he told the crowd.

He gave his speech at the launch of Voices of Youth, a global community of youth bloggers giving young people the opportunity to learn about development issues.

He told those present his wish for children around the world:

“I want a world where children can grow up safe from war, violence, poverty and preventable disease – don't you?"