The effect of having a Prince work with you has its benefits. In the case of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, where Prince William works as a pilot, it has meant a rise in donations.
What the media is calling the ‘Prince William effect’ shows that corporate donations have increased from £55,101 in 2015 to £163,082 in 2016.
Since the Duke of Cambridge started with the Air Ambulance in July 2015, more companies have wanted to help out the charity.
Last year, a new base for the Air Ambulance at the Cambridge Airport was opened by Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh. The foundation spent £1.5 million to build the offices which were a huge upgrade from the small room they had at the back of the airport.
Local businesses donated equipment after an appeal on Facebook was made for fridges and 55-inch televisions. Despite the donations, another £300,000 was used for gear like a fridge, cappuccino machine and PlayStation.
Working long, stressful hours means the Duke and his colleagues need to be able to relax and unwind in between missions. LED lighting and sound proofing help them achieve this.
According to the EAAA’s annual report, the Air Ambulance carried out 2046 missions from June 2015 to July 2016. They helped out 1377 patients in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.
Unfortunately, while corporate donations have risen, public donations from collecting tins have decreased by six per cent.
The Duke of Cambridge had to first undergo additional training to fly the EC145 T2 aircraft despite his military training. He is officially employed by Bond Air Services but donates his salary to charity.
His contract will be up later this year, and it is reported that he will be leaving the foundation to become a full-time working royal, moving his family from Anmer Hall to London.
That in itself is the benefit of royalty !!