Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are asking for those who would like to send them a gift for their wedding to make a donation to one of the seven charites they have selected.
The couple picked seven different charites that are close to their personal passions.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also invited guests to their big day from more charities the prince already works with.
The seven charities that the two chose for donations are not currently working with either Harry or Meghan.
A press release from Kensington Palace described the charities picked:
CHIVA (Children’s HIV Association)
The Children’s HIV Association (CHIVA) supports children growing
up with HIV and their
families, across the UK and Ireland. The charity aims to enhance
the wellbeing of children
and young people with HIV and to create a more hopeful and
optimistic future for them,
ensuring they achieve their greatest potential.
Dr Amanda Williams, Chair of CHIVA, said: “We are delighted and
honoured that Prince
Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have chosen to recognise our work
supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people
living with HIV in the UK and Ireland. We are
grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness of the complex
issues for young people
growing up with HIV. We are a very small charity and through our
work we support over
1,000 young people living with HIV. All donations will make a
significant difference to our programmes of work and lead to direct
improvements in the lives of these young people.”
Crisis
Crisis is the national charity for homeless people. The charity helps people directly out of homelessness, working side by side with thousands of people each year to help them rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind for good.
Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “We are hugely
grateful that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are asking the public to
support Crisis as they celebrate their wedding.
Homelessness is one of the most urgent issues of our time, but at
Crisis we know what it takes to end it. Donations will help us to
support more people to leave homelessness behind through our
housing, employment, education and advice services across the
country, and to campaign for the changes needed to solve the
homelessness crisis once and for all.”
Myna Mahila Foundation
Myna Mahila Foundation is a charity which empowers women in
Mumbai’s urban slums, by providing them with a trusted network,
where they are supported professionally and
personally to help them grow as individuals and businesswomen. Myna
offers women from these communities stable employment close to
their homes, and breaks taboos around menstrual hygiene by offering
women access to low cost sanitary pads and accurate information at
their doorstep. Providing mothers in the community with these
products helps them equip their daughters to stay in school. The
pads are manufactured and distributed by women from these
communities. The charity also empowers its staff through training
in women’s health, English, Math, and life skills such as
self-defence.
Ms. Markle saw the work of the Foundation first hand when she visited the charity last year, and wrote about it in Time Magazine.
Suhani Jalota, who founded Myna Mahila in 2015, said: “Myna
Mahila Foundation is
delighted to be a part of this special occasion for Ms. Meghan
Markle and Prince Harry. This support will enable us to expand our
reach into more urban slums in Mumbai, empowering local women
through access to menstrual hygiene products and employment
opportunities.”
Scotty’s Little Soldiers
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is the charity for bereaved Armed
Forces children. Inspired by the
experience of war widow Nikki Scott, the charity offers vital
support to children who have lost a parent while serving in the
British Armed Forces.
Scotty’s Little Soldiers Founder, Nikki Scott, said: “To have
been personally chosen by
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is an incredible honour for Scotty’s
Little Soldiers and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity.
Having met Prince Harry at Buckingham Palace last year, I know that
the Armed Forces and looking after the children our heroes have
left behind is close to his heart.
“Scotty’s Little Soldiers offers a vital support network for children, who at such a young age, have already gone through so much. Just having the opportunity to spend time with other children who have gone through something similar or receiving a gift on the anniversary of their parent’s death can help reassure them that they are not alone.”
StreetGames
StreetGames uses sport to change lives across the UK, helping people and communities to become healthier, safer and more successful. StreetGames uses sport to empower young people to kick-start a cycle of positive change in their own lives that resonates across their communities.
Jane Ashworth OBE, CEO of StreetGames, said: “All of us at
StreetGames are absolutely
thrilled to have been personally chosen by Prince Harry and Ms.
Markle. It’s a great honour to have our work using sport to change
lives and communities recognised in this way.”
Surfers Against Sewage
Surfers Against Sewage is a national marine conservation and campaigning charity, which inspires, unites and empowers communities to take action to protect oceans, beaches, waves and wildlife.
Hugo Tagholm, Chief Executive of Surfers Against Sewage, said: “Surfers Against Sewage is thrilled to be one of the charities chosen to benefit from donations marking the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle. Our work as a national marine conservation charity empowers tens of thousands of volunteers annually to protect beaches for everyone. We are currently focused on tackling plastic pollution and this support will help us move towards our vision of Plastic Free Coastlines.”
The Wilderness Foundation UK
The Wilderness Foundation UK promotes the benefits and enjoyment
of wild nature.
Through the great outdoors, the charity helps build resilience in
vulnerable teenagers,
introduces rural employment to urban youth, and brings science to
life.
Jo Roberts, CEO of The Wilderness Foundation UK, said: “We are
deeply touched and
honoured that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have chosen to support
The Wilderness
Foundation and its beneficiaries. As the world’s population grows
exponentially the planet’s remaining wild places and resources are
coming under increasing threat. It has never been more important
for us as humans to protect the planet that gives us life. Whilst
teaching conservation values, we in turn use the positive
power of nature to support and recharge the lives of challenged and
vulnerable young people and adults.”
