Prince William helps launch a year long series of initiatives

HRH Prince William joins Centrepoint to celebrate 40 years

Centrepoint’s patron HRH Prince William joined supporters, young people and staff at a launch reception held at HSBC’s Private Bank headquarters to celebrate the charity’s 40th anniversary.

Centrepoint’s Chair of the Board of trustees, Michael O’Higgins, used the event to launch the Centrepoint bursary scheme. The scheme is designed to provide funding to enable young people receiving support from Centrepoint to get back into training and work. This scheme forms part of the 40th anniversary campaign: Change Their Lives Forever, designed to raise money and awareness of the plight of homeless young people in the UK.

Prince William, who has been Patron of Centrepoint since 2005, addressed the 150-strong audience:

“This anniversary marks 40 years of extraordinary service to our society by a remarkable organisation. It is not a celebration, for there is so much more to do. But it is a magnificent and momentous milestone."

One young resident of Centrepoint also spoke at the event.  Samia came to Centrepoint two years ago to escape violence at home. She told the audience how the charity had provided her with more than just a home:

“Centrepoint has given me the beginning of the rest of my life”.

Other guests at the event included Centrepoint ambassadors Kirsty Young, Chris Collins and Lisa Maxwell, and Michael Eavis, who founded the Glastonbury Festival in 1969, and TV executive Greg Dyke.

Centrepoint’s Chief Executive, Anthony Lawton, said: “Tonight has been a wonderful event to celebrate Centrepoint’s past and also to look forward to the future. By 2019 we hope to see an end to youth homelessness in this country. I am proud that Centrepoint has become a beacon of excellence – not only housing over 800 young people each night, but also providing them with the education and training they need to find jobs, and ultimately live independent, rewarding lives.”