His Royal Highness The former Prince of Wales has become the Patron of World Jewish Relief. This will be the first time His Royal Highness has been the Patron of a Jewish organisation working outside of the UK.

His Royal Highness, a fantastic friend of the Jewish community, was Patron of World Jewish Relief’s hugely successful Krakow Community Centre project, which was his brainchild. He opened the Centre in 2008. He has also been Patron of World Jewish Relief’s Wohl Livelihood Development Programme in Ukraine which has helped over 2,000 people towards getting back into work and bringing their families out of poverty. He has been involved with the charity for 12 years.

The organisation has a rich and distinguished history, particularly its work leading the rescue of tens of thousands of Jewish people from Nazi Germany, including organising the Kindertransports in 1938.

World Jewish Relief supports vulnerable older people, brings people out of poverty and helps them to support themselves and leads the UK Jewish community’s response to international disasters.

Nigel Layton, Life Vice-President of World Jewish Relief, said: “We are absolutely delighted that The former Prince of Wales has agreed to become World Jewish Relief’s Patron.  The support of His Royal Highness demonstrates once again the close connection between the Royal Family, World Jewish Relief and the UK Jewish community. His Patronage is for our full range of work, giving a ringing endorsement to our work in combating poverty amongst the world’s most vulnerable Jewish communities and reaching beyond the Jewish communities, particularly at times of natural disasters.”

James Libson, Chairman, World Jewish Relief, said: “At this critical juncture for the communities we help – particularly in Ukraine and Nepal – the patronage of His Royal Highness could not be better timed. We are immensely grateful for his long term commitment to a set of values we share and which we will more effectively be able to implement with the added boost of his support.”