Schiffer launches poverty awareness wristband

German supermodel Claudia Schiffer is lending her support to a campaign that aims to wipe out poverty in Africa.

Schiffer, who lives in Britain with her film director husband Matthew Vaughn, yesterday launched a white wristband that symbolises the fight to end Third World debt.

Meeting with UK Chancellor Gordon Brown in London to kick off the MakePovertyHistory campaign, Schiffer is the first celebrity to wear the wristband.

The 34-year-old, who is heavily pregnant with her second child, said: "If I was living in parts of Africa, I'd have a one in five chance of dying when my baby is born.

"And my child would have a one in five chance of dying before his or her fifth birthday.

"If the campaign works then something will at last be done about these terrible statistics. As a mother, I'm asking you to support this campaign."

A host of campaigning rockers, including Bono, Chris Martin and Robbie Williams, will proudly wear the item when they record an updated version of Do They Know It’s Christmas? for Band Aid III this Sunday.