LONDON – 26 June, 2018 – 100 Women in Finance (100WF), a global, practitioner-driven non-profit organisation that serves more than 15,000 professionals in the finance and alternative investment industries, today announced that it has named The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as the beneficiary of its 2018 UK philanthropic initiatives.
The grant given to The Royal Foundation will focus specifically on the mental health initiatives related to young children, one of which, ‘The Mentally Healthy Schools website’ was recently launched by The Duchess of Cambridge. It is an online resource designed and curated by experts specifically for teachers and educators to support the mental health of young children in schools across the UK.
One in ten children will experience a mental health problem at least once before age 11, and many adults with lifetime mental health issues can trace their symptoms back to early childhood.
In a speech at the launch of the new website, Her Royal Highness said: “I see time and time again that there is so much to be gained from taking the mental health of our children as seriously as we do their physical health. When we intervene early in life, we help avoid problems that are much more challenging to address in adulthood. My own commitment is to the youngest and most vulnerable in their early years – babies, toddlers and school-children – and to supporting all those who care for them.”
She continued by saying “The ambition is to roll the website out this year so it’s available to every teacher in every primary school in the UK. The ultimate goal is that every teacher in the country should know where to turn for expert resources to support the emotional well-being and mental health of children in their care.”
Response to the website has been very positive. “Mental Health and Wellbeing is a huge issue for us. Your site and materials, I’m sure, would provide further fantastic tools for us to engage with our 17,000 pupils on this most important of issues.” Deputy Chief Executive of an academies trust.
The grant from 100WF will help The Royal Foundation achieve this objective and will lend support to the next stage of the project: the development of The Mentally Healthy Schools website for secondary schools.
100WF has a strong track record of supporting charities and has raised more than US$44 million (gross) for philanthropic causes in the areas of women’s and family health, education, and mentoring. 100WF in the UK aligns its yearly objectives to 100WF’s global theme, which rotates on an annual basis to ensure the greatest impact for local communities. For 2018, the theme is Education.
Commenting on the selection, Lorraine Heggessey, Chief Executive of The Royal Foundation said: “We are delighted to have been nominated by 100WF as their charity of the year. It is especially important that we are able to work together with an organisation that shares our passion for supporting children and young people, and mental health. We have made great strides in a short space of time, but there is so much more to do to better support children’s wellbeing, and this money will go a long way to making a great difference to young people across the UK.”
Kathryn Graham, member of the Global Association Board and Chair of the London Board of 100WF, commented, “100 Women in Finance is proud to support this important mental health initiative in schools, spearheaded by The Royal Foundation. Ensuring that our young people have early intervention and access to the best possible mental health solutions is critical. And helping teachers, parents and healthcare professionals to navigate where and how to access the right mental health support for their pupils is a crucial part of seeing a positive outcome.”
100WF’s London location has over 2500 members. More than £500,000 (gross) was raised by our members for our 2017 charity, WellChild, through a series of successful events, including the Annual London Gala at the Victoria and Albert Museum attended by Prince Harry.
We will host a number of philanthropic events in 2018, culminating in a London Gala in early 2019. Please register your early interest in the London Gala by contacting the London Philanthropy Committee.
100WF is a proud member of the Charities Forum of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Duke of Cambridge became patron of 100WF’s philanthropic initiatives in late 2009; and in late 2012, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry joined the Duke by becoming patrons. Starting in January 2013, 100WF committed to focusing its UK philanthropic endeavours on charities in the Charities Forum, one for each year of the partnership. The chosen charities: Action on Addiction in 2013, WellChild in 2014 and 2017, The Art Room in 2015 and SkillForce in 2016, reflect 100WF’s three annually rotating philanthropic themes: education, women’s and family health, and investing in the next generation.
Since 2010, Blaine and Laura Tomlinson have served as our Patronage Sponsor, very generously supporting each of the charities selected as beneficiaries of our London Gala and other fundraising. We salute their commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people and vulnerable families in the UK.
About The Royal Foundation
The Royal Foundation is the primary philanthropic vehicle for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Through The Foundation, Their Royal Highnesses set out to tackle some of today’s biggest challenges, using their passion and unique influence to change mindsets and to make a lasting difference on issues that matter to them and to society. Programmes and campaigns that have been initiated or run by The Foundation include Heads Together, the Invictus Games, the Endeavour Fund, Coach Core, United for Wildlife and Early Intervention.
About 100 Women in Finance
100 Women in Finance is a global network of professionals in the finance and alternative investment industries working together to empower women at every stage of their careers. Through peer engagement, philanthropic, and educational initiatives, our more than 15,000 members are making connections and creating opportunities that help to advance careers and strengthen our field.