Prince William becomes homelessness patron

Prince William has announced that he is to become a patron to youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint.

The 23-year-old chose the charity for his first patronage, after spending two days working there as a volunteer.

The Prince’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, was also a Centrepoint patron and, as a child, William visited a number of homelessness charities in London with his mother.

Prince William said that he had been interested in the issue of homelessness for a number of years. He visited a homelessness charity in Newport, Wales, with his father, Prince Charles, just before his 21st birthday in 2003.

Commenting on his decision, Prince Williams said: “I am delighted to accept Centrepoint’s invitation to become their patron. I have always been deeply concerned for those people especially young people who, for whatever reason, find themselves living on the streets or without a proper home.

“Charities like Centrepoint do such an amazing job in helping to combat homelessness and social exclusion and I just wanted to lend my support to their remarkable efforts.

During his time working as a volunteer with Centrepoint, the Prince talked to young people about their situation, reviewed their personal development plans, sorted out housing benefit claims and helped to find more permanent accommodation.

Anthony Lawton, chief executive of Centrepoint, said: “It is wonderful that William is so committed to homeless young people and in particular that he wants to work with us. He is the same age as many of the young people we support and he gets on so well with them. I know that all the young people he has worked with over the last few days will think this is fantastic news.”

Clarence House said that Prince William would participate in other work experience opportunities, including learning about land management, working with a number of financial institutions in the City of London and spending time with a mountain rescue team, before Christmas.

In the long-term, the most likely career option for the Prince is in the military.

Prince William’s role as patron of Centrepoint will be reviewed every five years, as will all subsequent patronages.

(KMcA/SP)