Charities and Patronages
Charities and Patronages
Although Prince William is currently focusing on his military career he wants to show his support for a few organisations that reflect issues he cares about both in the UK and abroad.
Prince William is Patron or President of 10 organisations: Centrepoint, a charity for homeless young people; The Tusk Trust, a conservation charity for Africa based in the UK; The Football Association, the governing body of English football; The Welsh Rugby Union (Vice-Patron); The Royal Marsden Hospital; Mountain Rescue (England and Wales); the English School's Swimming Association (ESSA)and The Lord Mayor's Appeal 2008. He is Joint Royal Patron of the City Salute Appeal with Prince Harry. On 10th June 2008, Prince William became Patron of the HMS Alliance Conservation Appeal during a visit to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum to open the Area of Remembrance.
In September 2005, Prince William became Patron of Centrepoint, the UK’s leading homelessness charity. This was the Prince’s first Patronage and reflects his long-standing interest in homelessness and the people affected by it. His mother Diana, Princess of Wales was Patron of the charity.
In May 2007, Prince William became President of the Royal Marsden Hospital, a position previously held by Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Prince has visited the hospital and undertook two days work experience in December 2005 in the Children’s Unit. Prince William helped out in a variety of departments, including medical research, catering, and fund-raising, as well as visiting a number of wards including children’s units.
Also in May 2007, Prince William became Patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales and The English Schools' Swimming Association. These patronages reflect William's interest in youth sport and, in his own words, his desire to "highlight and celebrate the vital, selfless and courageous work of our mountain rescue organisations". Prince William spent two weeks working with a mountain rescue team in North Wales in 2005. Click here to read the story.
In December 2005, Prince William became Patron of the Tusk Trust, a conservation charity based in the UK which aims to secure a peaceful coexistence for Africa’s wildlife and its people. Prince William was impressed by the work of the charity after seeing it first-hand during a visit to Africa.
On 16th September 2005, Prince William became President-Designate of The Football Association, the governing body of English football.
He took over from his uncle, The Duke of York, as President of The FA in May 2006 on the day of the FA Cup Final held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. He presented the 2006 FA Cup to Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
Like his brother Prince Harry, Prince William is a keen sportsman. He played for his house football team at Eton and for Sunday league teams during his four years at St Andrews University. He is an Aston Villa supporter.
On 28th October 2005, Prince William visited the training ground of Charlton Athletic Football Club to join children participating in a community football programme and to train with the team. He expressed his wish to get more kids involved with football.
On 1st June 2006, Prince William visited the England squad in Manchester in his capacity as President of The Football Association and on 10th June, he attended England's first World Cup match in Frankfurt, Germany.
Prince William has also shown his support for other charitable causes. On 8th July 2006 Prince William joined fellow cadets and officers at Sandhurst in running a mile to support the charity Sport Relief. Prince William also ran a mile for Sport Relief in 2004 along London’s Embankment with a team from Clarence House.
In January 2005, Prince William and Prince Harry volunteered at a British Red Cross aid distribution centre and helped to pack emergency supplies for countries that were affected by the tsunami disaster on Boxing Day 2004.
On 27th March 2008, Prince William and Prince Harry became Joint Patrons of the City Salute Appeal, a major open air event organised to celebrate and support this country’s armed forces and their families and to raise money for injured servicemen and women. Click here to visit the website.
On 21st April, Prince William and Prince Harry visited the Defence Medical Services Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in Surrey as Joint Patrons of City Salute. Click here for the story.