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.
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 December 2005, Prince William became Patron of the Tusk Trust, a conservation charity based in the UK which aims to secure a peaceful co-existence 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. Click here to watch a video of Prince William at a Tusk event.
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.
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 a number of times, and in December 2005, undertook two days of work experience there. 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 the Children’s Unit.
Also in May 2007, Prince William became Patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales and The English Schools' Swimming Association. These patronages reflect Prince 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 and on a visit to Mid Glamorgan in May 2008, visited the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue base team.
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 2008, Prince William became Patron of A Positive View 2010, a landmark exhibition and charity auction. The event will showcase the best of international iconic photography produced since 1809. Homeless charity CRISIS is one of the charities to benefit from the exhibition.
Other charities
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.
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 read the story.
As Patrons of the event, Prince William and Prince Harry visited the Defence Medical Services Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in Surrey on 21st April 2008.
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.
Patronages
Centrepoint
Patron (from 13/09/2005)
Click here to visit the website
The English Schools’ Swimming Association (ESSA)
Patron (from 16/05/2007)
Click here to visit the website
The Football Association
President (from 01/05/2006)
Click here to visit the website
HMS Alliance Conservation Appeal
Patron (from 10/06/2008)
Mountain Rescue (England and Wales)
Patron (from 16/05/2007)
Click here to visit the website
A Positive View 2010
Patron (from 15/09/2008)
Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Patron (from 10/09/2008)
Click here to visit the website
The Royal Marsden Hospital
President (from 16/05/2007)
Click here to visit the website
The Tusk Trust
Patron (from 19/12/2005)
Click here to visit the website
The Welsh Rugby Union
Vice Royal Patron (from 04/02/2007)
Click here to visit the website