Mike McRoberts, a family man with global children.

UNICEF NZ Ambassador Mike McRoberts became a Global Parent after seeing first hand the work UNICEF does around the world.

"I say to people who want to make a contribution - which in the scheme of things is fairly insignificant to people like us, but is hugely significant in the lives of others - then becoming a UNICEF Global Parent is the way to go.You can be assured the money you give will be spent wisely and to the best effect.

After the war in Afghanistan, UNICEF was there in the refugee camps in Pakistan providing shelter, clean water and some kind of structure to the tens of thousands who'd been displaced. I also like that UNICEF has no religious strings attached to their aid and that it has the economies of scale to make a difference.

Seeing what UNICEF does with my own eyes has played a major role in my decision to support them.

I've been particularly impressed with the people who work for UNICEF. Even in the most trying of circumstances they seem to have the local knowledge and trust to make a difference.

The best example I've seen recently was in Tanzania. While this wasn't an emergency situation, drought had made conditions critical. UNICEF has been working on long term solutions to the lack of water in the Mwanza region for some 15 years and I was able to see first hand the difference the sustainable wells had made. I also saw the future planning for more wells and the impressive relationship UNICEF staff have with the people of the region.

Most people can't go into the field and see for themselves the good work UNICEF is doing. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to help people with the next best thing - through my pictures and stories.

Like any parent, I worry about the future of my children. But for the many children I see who, through no fault of their own, find their lives turned upside down, the worry is mostly about the present. Will they survive today? The great thing about UNICEF is that it provides relief for the emergency situation and then gives children a future. And the work UNICEF does is so positive - it's a nice counter balance to some of the other things I have seen."