# Sector pays tribute to Prince Philip

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/04/16/sector-pays-tribute-to-prince-philip/
- Published: 2021-04-16T10:18:00+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral takes place tomorrow, Saturday 17 April. Over 
the course of his life, Prince Philip was associated with 992 organisations, either
as President, Patron, Honorary Member or in another capacity. Here are a few of 
their responses, including a number of funds set up in his memory.**

Prince Philip was the first President of World Wildlife Fund – UK ([WWF](https://www.wwf.org.uk/))
from its formation in 1961 to 1982, and International President of WWF (later the
World Wide Fund for Nature) from 1981 to 1996, and then President Emeritus of WWF
until his death. The charity has set up the W[WF President’s Fund for Nature](https://support.wwf.org.uk/presidents-fund-for-nature)
to honour his conservation legacy and long-lasting commitment to WWF. Donations 
will support essential wildlife conservation and biodiversity around the world and
will also include special bursaries for young environmentalists.

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> Over his life, The Duke of Edinburgh was associated with 992 charities and organisations,
> from scientific and tech research to the welfare of young people and the encouragement
> of sport.
> Join us over the next 7 days as we look back at His Royal Highness's
> life and work. [pic.twitter.com/KLpF42CHuq](https://t.co/KLpF42CHuq)
> — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) [April 11, 2021](https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1381325237216772099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Patron too of the British Heart Foundation for almost 60 years, this charity too
has set up a [tribute page](https://giftofhope.bhf.org.uk/In-Memory/Prince-Philip-HRH-The-Duke-of-Edinburgh)
in his honour and the Royal Family has asked the public to consider donating to 
it in his memory.

> We are incredibly grateful to the Royal Family for asking members of the public
> to consider donating to charity instead of leaving floral tributes for HRH The
> Duke of Edinburgh. 
> Thank you to everyone who has donated in memory of our Patron
> of 60 years. [https://t.co/8L24BmGxI3](https://t.co/8L24BmGxI3)
> — British Heart Foundation (@TheBHF) [April 15, 2021](https://twitter.com/TheBHF/status/1382625041939058688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, BHF Chief Executive, said:

> “Prince Philip offered steadfast support to the BHF for nearly 60 years and was
> a remarkable advocate for the power of research to save and improve lives from
> heart and circulatory diseases.
>  
> “Prince Philip’s role as our patron was one aspect of a life characterised by 
> support for good causes and devotion to public service. His contribution will 
> forever be remembered.”

The Royal Commonwealth Society has also expressed its deepest sympathy and condolences
to its Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, and Members of the Royal Family on the passing
of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Dr Linda Yueh,
said:

> “Over the course of more than six decades, The Duke steadfastly supported The 
> Queen in her role as Head of the Commonwealth.
>  
> “His establishment of The Duke of Edinburgh Award, which now operates in over 
> 40 Commonwealth countries, and his founding of the Commonwealth Study Conferences
> and Emerging Leaders’ Dialogues, will leave a lasting and powerful legacy in the
> Commonwealth.”

Prince Philip was also a Life Member of [The National Memorial Arboretum,](https://thenma.org.uk/)
part of the Royal British Legion. His first visit to the Arboretum was in July 2002,
shortly after its opening, in the company of Her Majesty The Queen, as part of her
Golden Jubilee tour and his last in November 2016 when he was present for the dedication
of the Guinea Pig Club Memorial, and as the club’s President he unveiled the memorial.
During that visit, he was given a tour of the Arboretum’s Remembrance Centre that
opened two weeks prior.

![](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2021/04/unnamed-1-1024x724.jpg)

_HRH The Duke of Edinburgh laying a wreath on the Armed Forces Memorial at the Arboretum
during a visit in 2009_

The Arboretum has been among those flying the Union Jack at half-mast during the
eight-day period of mourning. Black armbands have also been made available to be
worn by staff.

In addition, he was Patron of Capability Scotland, and Chair of its Board of Trustees,
Professor Sandy Cameron CBE and Chief Executive Brian Logan issued the following
statement:

> “We were all deeply saddened to learn of the death of our patron, HRH The Duke
> of Edinburgh. He has been our patron for many years and we were always grateful
> for his support and visits to our services in the past. On behalf of our trustees,
> staff, customers and their families, our sincere condolences go to Her Majesty
> The Queen and the whole Royal Family.”

> 65 years ago, HRH Prince Philip established The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, one
> of his most remarkable achievements.
> What memories of working towards or achieving
> your [#DofE](https://twitter.com/hashtag/DofE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) do
> you have?Share your stories here: [https://t.co/jMbjMhLnWt](https://t.co/jMbjMhLnWt)
> [pic.twitter.com/sWkHeod0VL](https://t.co/sWkHeod0VL)
> — The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (@DofE) [April 10, 2021](https://twitter.com/DofE/status/1380804986070777856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Prince Philip of course set up the [Duke of Edinburgh](https://twitter.com/hashtag/DukeofEdinburgh?src=hashtag_click)
Award in 1956. Almost 1.3 million young people take part in the scheme each year,
and it is now in more than 130 countries and territories worldwide.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is asking for the help of the 6.7 million people across
the UK who have done their DofE in creating the first-ever nationwide collection
of ‘DofE memories’ in tribute to HRH Prince Philip and to inspire even more young
people to take part.

The charity is asking anyone who’s been involved across the decades – from current
participants and older alumni to the people who help deliver the DofE across the
UK every year – to go to [DofE.org](https://www.dofe.org/) and share their experiences
in celebration of The Duke’s legacy.

The stories will be used to inspire more young people to start creating their own
memories with DofE, and the charity will present a physical copy to the Royal Collection.

Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award said:

> “The Duke’s timeless vision for young people has never been more relevant or needed.
> The DofE has played a crucial role in supporting young people to survive and thrive
> despite the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, and we will continue to 
> build on his legacy.
>  
> “The Duke was a lifelong advocate for young people, believing in each individual’s
> potential and creating in the DofE what he saw as a ‘do-it-yourself growing up
> kit’. We’re honoured to continue HRH’s work, to ensure that all young people –
> especially those from marginalised groups – can benefit from the better educational
> outcomes, employment prospects, community ties and better mental health that are
> associated with doing DofE.”

The Duke of Edinburgh had also been Patron of the [Charities Aid Foundation](https://www.cafonline.org/)
since 1974. It too paid tribute, saying:

> “He was a respected and much loved supporter of the Charities Aid Foundation as
> well as hundreds of other charities and organisations.  His irreplaceable and 
> invaluable contribution to CAF and our nation will be sorely missed.”

Other charities he was Patron of included the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust,
where he had been Patron since 1973, having previously been President of the Trust
for eight years. The charity is inviting people to make a donation in his memory,
and Plan International UK.

Rose Caldwell, CEO of [Plan International UK](https://plan-uk.org/) said: 

> “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness, the Duke
> of Edinburgh, who has been a long standing royal patron of Plan International 
> UK.
>  
> “Over the years, His Royal Highness has been incredibly supportive of the work
> we do with young people both here in the UK and across the world. As a global 
> children’s charity striving to give every child the same chance in life, his support
> has been hugely appreciated.
>  
> “Our thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this difficult
> time.”

> We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness the Duke of
> Edinburgh who has been a long standing royal patron of Plan International UK. 
> Over the years his support has been hugely appreciated.
> Our thoughts are with 
> Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family.
> — Plan International UK (@PlanUK) [April 9, 2021](https://twitter.com/PlanUK/status/1380497970420924416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

#### Gift Aid

Prince Philip is also credited with playing a role in the creation of Gift Aid with
his bringing together of officials in the 1980s as part of his work with CAF said
to have eventually led to the scheme. Tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg has
suggested that a temporary increase in the value of Gift Aid, as well as a change
to the rules would be a fitting tribute.

Mark Hart, a partner at the firm said:

> “The Government should move away from the current system whereby donors opt into
> Gift Aid to one where they opt out if they are not a UK tax payer. This should
> be coupled with a temporary increase in the value of gift aid for a year to 25%
> of the donation so that every £1 given would be worth £1.33. This would be a fitting
> tribute to the work that the Duke of Edinburgh did to promote the concept of Gift
> Aid.”
>  
> “This would increase the amount of tax relief that could be claimed at a time 
> when charities are struggling having suffered a year when a number of fundraising
> events were cancelled.”

Main image: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in Heroes’ Square on his last visit to the
National Memorial Arboretum in 2016