The Duchess of Cambridge has announced that she has become patron for several more charities.
Place2Be is proud to announce that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has become Royal Patron of Place2Be.
The Duchess’ decision to support Place2Be is a reflection of her personal interest in and commitment to improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children in the UK.
Benita Refson OBE, Chief Executive and Founding Trustee, said: "Place2Be is hugely honoured that The Duchess of Cambridge has chosen to become our Royal Patron.
“This is a tremendous endorsement of the tireless work and commitment of our staff, volunteer counsellors and supporters, as well as of the partner schools with whom we work to help troubled children to overcome emotionally difficult times in their lives.
“The Duchess’ support will help Place2Be hugely in its efforts to shine the spotlight on child mental health, and on the need to tackle these issues at the earliest possible stage, so that children have the brightest possible futures, as they deserve.
“By helping to raise awareness of Place2Be’s early intervention work in schools, The Duchess will also help the charity to reach even more of the UK’s most vulnerable children and their families who so desperately need support.”
The Duchess also announced she is to be patron of SportsAid. SportsAid helps talented British athletes from the age of 12 who compete in more than 70 sporting disciplines, the majority of which are contested at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. These athletes are nominated to the charity by their sports’ governing bodies based on their performance, commitment and potential. Around 1,500 of them receive a SportsAid Award – which is typically £1,000 per athlete – each year. Past recipients include Sir Bradley Wiggins, Ellie Simmonds OBE, Tom Daley, Baroness Grey-Thompson, Jessica Ennis CBE, David Weir CBE and Rebecca Adlington OBE.
Tim Lawler, the charity’s chief executive said, "This is fantastic news for young sports people throughout the UK and especially for those who hope one day to represent the country at the highest level of their sport.
“I can think of no greater endorsement of SportsAid than for me to be able to welcome Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge as the charity’s patron. As a champion of future champions she will make a big difference to young athletes, helping them to tell their inspirational stories and maintain the support they need.”
SportsAid alumnus Sir Chris Hoy said, “SportsAid played an important role when I was starting out so I know what a huge boost this will be to the young sportsmen and women the charity helps today. As patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will give them the profile they deserve.”
SportsAid alumna Rebecca Adlington OBE added, “This is just brilliant news! What a fantastic boost to SportsAid’s work with our next generation of talent. It will certainly help to maintain a living legacy from London 2012.”
