The Prince’s Countryside Fund, a charity founded by King Charles III to support family farms and rural communities, has become the Royal Countryside Fund.
Its new name has been approved by the king and is the first of his charities to undergo this transition since his coronation.
Formed in 2010, the charity has awarded £11.2m in grants to improve rural lives across the UK. The Royal Countryside aims to invest at least £500,000 annually through its grant programmes for rural communities.
Heather Hancock, chair of the Royal Countryside Fund, said: “This is a truly significant moment for our charity, setting us up for a long and successful future with a royal renaming that embodies our special heritage.
“As our longest serving heir to the throne, King Charles played a unique role as an enabler and catalyst in many areas of public life. In doing so, his empathy and respect for farming and the countryside have always stood out.
“People in the countryside have long valued his majesty’s support and championing for the challenges they face, and the Prince’s Countryside Fund has given this tangible expression.
“We are incredibly proud that the king has now chosen to signal his enduring commitment to rural communities and farming families by honouring us with a change of name.
“Becoming the Royal Countryside Fund confirms the importance that his majesty continues to place upon the countryside and ensures that our support will make a difference for generations to come.”
Charity Commission data for the financial year ending March 2022, puts total income at £2.37m and total expenditure at £2.09m
Keith Halstead, executive director of the Royal Countryside Fund, said the new name gives the charity “not only the royal seal of approval, but also national recognition”.
“We are thrilled with our new name, and very proud,” he added.
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