1 MARCH 2004
Famed for her philanthropic work, Queen Rania of Jordan has been championing a cause close to her heart, jetting into London to launch a worldwide children's initiative.

Queen Rania, a board member for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, recently agreed to serve as the international "face" of the Grand Campaign For Child Immunisation. The Jordanian royal joined a roster of advocates in the British city to kick off the fundraiser, which is designed to raise millions over the next three years to fully fund vaccine programmes in the world's 75 poorest countries.

The initiative also aims to build partnerships with a number of related organisations, including those from the world of non-profit and public health around the globe. With the queen's help, the campaign hopes to promote the issue in at least half a dozen donor countries in the next year.