Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Harry book donation is ‘just at the right time’
PRINCE Harry’s controversial memoir has come “just at the right time” for sick children helped by a Gloucestershire charity that will benefit from the bombshell book.
Charity chiefs have welcomed news that WellChild will receive £300,000 from the publication of the Prince’s book Spare, which is due out in January.
There was a furore among royal watchers this week when publishers announced the title and the release date of the book, which the Duke of Sussex will personally read for the audio version.
Buckingham Palace fears the £28 book will be an attack on members of the royal family, including his father King Charles and aunt Princess Anne, who live nearby in the Cotswolds.
Royalists are unhappy the 416-page tome is coming out months after the Queen’s death and shortly before his father’s coronation.
But supporters say Harry is simply telling his story, including how as a 12-year-old he had to walk behind his late mother’s coffin.
And WellChild chiefs say the book simply means the Cheltenham charity can carry on offering practical support to sick children and their families across the UK at a time when it needs every penny it can get.
The Prince has supported the charity since 2007 and it was one of the few he kept on after stepping down as a working member of the royal family and moving abroad with wife Meghan Markle.
Just a few weeks ago Harry spoke to winners of WellChild awards from the US and chief executive Matt James said: “We are delighted by the news that the Duke of Sussex is planning to make a donation to WellChild from the proceeds of his forthcoming book.
“This will make a huge difference to the work we do for seriously ill children and their families across the UK.
“The Duke has been WellChild’s patron since 2007 and has always been closely involved with the charity and its work.
“We support children with complex health needs, making it possible for them to be cared for at home wherever possible. In the current economic situation things have become even more difficult for every one of them. So, it’s fair to say this donation has come just at the right time.
“Our vision is that every child and young person living with serious health needs should have the best chance to thrive, properly supported at home with their families.
“Thanks to the support of our patron, the Duke of Sussex, that vision is a step closer to reality.”
Like many charities WellChild struggled with a reduction in fundraising but increased demand during the pandemic. It played a vital role in supporting families of vulnerable children but paid the price in increased costs.
Prince Harry has been a staunch supporter and attended past awards ceremonies, but missed the last one at the 11th hour when his grandmother the Queen died that day.
He later spoke to the award winners online.
Asked what the money would be used for, Mr James said: “WellChild is about practical support. Our projects include a team of more than 50 WellChild children’s nurses across the UK; our garden and bedroom transformation projects making home environments safer, more accessible and sensory; our training suites that help families and carers learn the vital skills they need to care for their children at home; and the WellChild Family Tree community, which connects families across the UK for mutual support and friendship.”
Around £1.3million from the book will go to Sentebale, a charity Prince Harry co-founded in 2006 to help vulnerable children in Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi, including those who are affected by extreme poverty and the HIV/Aids epidemic.