16 March 2011
Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton have set up a charitable gift fund for those who very generously may wish to donate to charity to help the couple celebrate their wedding. Having been touched by the goodwill shown to them since the announcement of their engagement, Prince William and Miss Middleton have asked that anyone who might wish to give them a wedding gift consider giving instead to a charitable fund.
Three community foundations have been chosen as recipients of the Fund to join 26 independent charities, based in the UK and abroad, who each undertake excellent work within specific communities. They are charities that have both a particular resonance and reflect issues in which the couple have been interested.
Community foundations are charities that make targeted and precise investments in community-based charities that are highly effective in addressing disadvantage that usually would not come to the notice of national donors or the public at large. Community foundations specialise in supporting projects that engage local people in creating solutions in their neighbourhoods to make communities and regions better places to live.
Stephen Hammersley, CFN’s chief executive said:
“We are delighted with the generosity of Prince William and Miss Middleton. I hope that their leadership and vision will encourage people to actively support organisations striving to make a difference to their local community or wider society. It is exciting evidence of a developing culture of responsibility in the UK.”
The three community foundations, Berkshire Community Foundation, The Scottish Community Foundation and The Community Foundation in Wales, have been chosen as recipients to channel donations under the theme of Help and Care at Home and the funds will specifically help and support carers in need and especially young carers in each of the three localities: Berkshire, Scotland and North Wales.
Berkshire Community Foundation’s director, Andrew Middleton said: “We are proud to be a nominated recipient of the royal wedding charitable gift fund and a key objective for us is to address the growing numbers of carers in the county. All the monies received will enable groups to extend the support they provide in Berkshire to ensure that carers can live fulfilling lives.”
Giles Ruck, chief executive of The Scottish Community Foundation said: “We are delighted to support this fantastic initiative which will enhance our work supporting Scotland’s lesser known charities and community groups. These gifts will support projects that improve health and the standard of care at home in Fife.”
The chief executive of Community Foundation in Wales, Liza Kellett, added: “Helping people to lead more independent lives, improving physical and mental health, and empowering young people are at the heart of the Community Foundation’s work. Through this support we will be able to fund projects in North Wales which give respite to, and build the confidence of, the thousands of young people and adults who care for family members every day.”
Stephen Hammersley continued: “This initiative utilises what community foundations do best – developing highly effective solutions to meet the individual needs of people in local communities.”