Coronavirus: Prince William says Britain is 'at its best when we're in a crisis'
Prince William speaks with charity workers who are helping people get through the coronavirus pandemic.
Monday 13 April 2020 09:56, UK
Prince William has said the coronavirus outbreak has again shown that Britain is "at its best when we're in a crisis".
The Duke of Cambridge praised the community spirit that "comes rushing back", during video calls to small charities helping to support the vulnerable in the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far more than 10,000 people with coronavirus have died in the UK, while 5,288 have tested positive for the virus.
The charities William spoke to have received money from the National Emergencies Trust (NET).
In one video, he talked to Jacky Crawford from the Moorlands Community Charity in Goole, East Yorkshire.
Praising the public response to the crisis, he said: "I think Britain is at its best, weirdly, when we're in a crisis.
"We all pull together and that community spirit and that community feel comes rushing back quicker than anything else."
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In the footage Ms Crawford asked William to send a "virtual high-five" to the Moorlands charity and he replied, "You're doing a fantastic job, please pass on many good wishes and big thank yous to all the volunteers."
The organisation, which delivers meals to isolated households and vital products such as baby powder and nappies, has seen a significant rise in referrals since the outbreak of COVID-19.
William also enjoyed a joke with Ms Crawford when she explained that she and her partner were sticking to opposite sides of the house "so that we don't infect each other, just in case".
Sparking laughter from the charity worker, William quipped: "Is this an excuse you've been looking for for a while Jacky?"
The videos were released as it was announced William has been appointed as patron of the NET.
It said £12.5m had been distributed since the emergency appeal was launched with William's help last month.
He also made another call to community farm Dal Dy Dir in Powys, Wales, which supports people with disabilities and other marginalised groups.
Natalie Webster from the farm told him the trust's help had made "an incredible difference" to the volunteers and charity staff.
The prince said: "I want to make sure that the NET is getting it right and that the money is being distributed to the right people at the right time and that also you're feeling supported."
Last week the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in their first virtual school visit, surprising children of key workers at a school in Lancashire with a video call.
NET chairman Lord Dannatt said everyone involved with the trust is "delighted" to have William as its new patron.
He added: "We look forward to working with him, and our partners in the UK Community Foundations network, to help communities across the country tackle the dramatic rise in food poverty as well as the many other increasingly pressing social issues arising from this crisis."
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