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A unique thumb-print petition was unveiled in New York today to show global support for Save the Children's Every One campaign.

American actress Claire Danes put the three millionth thumb-print to the mosaic, which depicts a mother and child, in the city's Grand Central Station and it will be presented to senior representatives at the UN summit which launches in New York today. 

The aim of the campaign is to press for governments to agree an action plan to cut child deaths by two thirds by 2015 and urge world leaders to continue to prioritise the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals.

Claire Danes said of the campaign: 'Every three seconds in the developing world a child dies needlessly due to lack of basic health care and other things we all take for granted. I'm here today to add my thumbprint and my support to this cause, just one of three million people from across the globe - from the poorest communities to world leaders - who have signed up to Save the Children's Every One campaign.'

Kate Redman, PR manager at Save the Children, said of the petition: 'In some developing countries where education is less readily available, a thumb print will sometimes be used in place of a signature. So it's a global symbol and seemed particularly apt as the campaign is about helping the world's poorest people. It's also child-friendly, family-friendly. It's creative, it's colourful. It involves paint.'

She added: 'In the UK, we've put statues of a woman and child in shopping centres in Bristol, Birmingham and Westfield and people can come and show their support by making a thumb print on these too.

The UK is also sending its own contingent to New York. As well as meeting with the deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and enlisting international development secretary Andrew Mitchell to the cause, Save the Children has also dispatched its ambassador for UK mums, mummy blogger '@mummytips', to attend the summit and promote the campaign.

Redman said: 'These campaigns are about mobilising the global community so that it can put pressure on world leaders. People need to be educated in what needs to be changed so that their support can make its way to those making decisions.

'One thing that's special about this campaign is the involvement of 40 countries including contributions from developing regions such as villages in India. The emphasis of the campaign is on Every One to recognise their responsibilities to tackle the problem of global poverty whether they're a victim, a world leader attending the summit or someone in the UK who just wants to do their bit.'

Jasmine Whitbread, global chief executive of Save the Children who is also attending the summit this week, said: 'This is a make or break opportunity. Proven, low-tech and inexpensive solutions exist to stop children dying. What we need is the will - from politicians, the public, aid agencies, companies, Every One - to make it happen on a global scale. We know what works; we need world leaders to turn their promises into a plan.'

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