Filmmaker J.J. Abrams is throwing his support behind a global charity by raffling off a cameo role in Star Wars: Episode Vii.

Organisers behind the Star Wars: Force for Change campaign have joined forces with the makers of the film to raise awareness and funds for the United Nations Children's Fund's (Unicef) Innovation Labs, which works to help the world's most vulnerable children.

The winner will be flown to London to meet the cast, before making their debut in the movie.

In a video announcement for the initiative, Abram says, "We're so grateful to all the Star Wars fans out there for their support and their patience, that we would like you to be part of the fun. We want to put you in the movie...

"But the greatest part is you'll get to help us launch something else, Star Wars: Force For Change. It's a brand new initiative that is dedicated to finding greater solutions to the world's biggest problems..."

Star Wars: Episode Vii, which features returning icons Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, is scheduled for release in December, 2015.