Prince William recently made a poignant return to the hospital where his beloved wife, Kate Middleton, took her first breath, marking a somber anniversary. Five years have passed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Prince of Wales decided to pay a heartfelt tribute to a health charity dedicated to assisting both healthcare workers and patients.
At the age of 42, William visited the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, England, on March 5th to witness firsthand the profound impact of the funds raised by NHS Charities Together. This initiative had launched an urgent appeal in 2020 to address the staggering workload and critical supply demands faced by frontline staff and volunteers. The very hospital where Princess Kate, now 43, was born in January 1982 sadly became the site of the UK’s first COVID-19 fatality in March 2020.
NHS Charities Together, an organization for which William serves as a patron, managed to raise over $19 million (£15 million) within the initial five days of launching their appeal in March 2020. This figure continued to soar, eventually reaching $200 million (£160 million), all aimed at providing support to patients, hospital personnel, and volunteers at the forefront of the health crisis.
William’s office at Kensington Palace shared that the raised funds reportedly assisted nearly two-thirds of NHS staff through services such as counseling, rest areas, and various community-based projects. In December 2020, the Prince and Princess of Wales had previously visited the Royal Berkshire Hospital during a 1,250-mile tour across the UK to engage with diverse communities encountering the unprecedented challenges brought on by the crisis.
Remarkably, an overwhelming 90% of the projects initiated in hospitals like the Royal Berkshire have continued, including the establishment of the Oasis Health and Wellbeing Center and Garden. During his recent visit on March 5th, William took the opportunity to explore the facilities and green spaces, observing the array of activities designed to support staff members in maintaining their well-being and mental health.
The Prince engaged with individuals benefiting from the wellbeing center and open spaces, as well as with staff members who had worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic. Additionally, William encountered poignant reminders of the human toll exacted by the crisis as he learned about two members of the health trust, Dr. Peter Tun and nurse Julie Edward, who tragically lost their lives during the pandemic. Trees were planted in the garden in their memory, serving as lasting tributes to their dedication and sacrifice.
NHS Charities Together, a cause also championed by Kate, contributed to the funding of one of the nation’s inaugural Long Covid Clinics. These specialized facilities aim to provide assistance to individuals grappling with the lingering effects of the disease.
