Prince Harry visits The Running Charity and Depaul in house for young homeless
His Royal Highness Prince Harry visited The Running Charity and its partner Depaul UK in Willesden, North London, as part of his continued focus on exploring how sport can be used to help vulnerable young people and communities.
The Prince went for a 15-minute run with around eight young homeless people, who have been training with The Running Charity, the UK’s first running-orientated programme for homeless and vulnerable young people.
He also talked with The Running Charity’s Director, Alex Eagle, and Depaul UK Chief Executive, Martin Houghton-Brown.
Eagle said: “The Prince observed that a lot of the young people who use our charities have been let down in the early stages of life and that their success is defined by how they then pick themselves up. That’s what The Running Charity is all about, believing in young people and communities.”
Houghton-Brown added: “His Royal Highness said that young people need to be given the belief and opportunity to succeed and that it was great to see what we are doing here. I am so grateful that these young people have had the opportunity to run with a Prince to help them realise their potential.”
Prince Harry also met Claude Umuhire, a former participant and now full-time employee of The Running Charity, alongside some of the current beneficiaries and graduates, before participating in a running session with the group. And after running with the group of young people, the Prince told them: “You have all made the decision to go running. Now you are all ambassadors for The Running Charity.”
Leaving them, he joked: “Next time I will come and play pool maybe!”
This is one of a series of visits Prince Harry is undertaking to develop his understanding of the sport for social development sector and use his position to support the great work that is already taking place across the country to ensure that community sports groups continue to play a key role in improving the life chances of disadvantaged young people.
