His Majesty The King and the Royal Family wish to send their sincere gratitude for the messages of condolence received from around the world.
The Royal Family has been deeply moved by the global response and affection shown for The Queen as people join them in mourning the loss of Her Majesty.
Her Majesty The Queen’s State Funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September, followed by a Committal Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Elements of the State Funeral Service and the associated ceremonial arrangements will pay tribute to The Queen’s extraordinary reign, and Her Majesty’s remarkable life of service as Head of State, Nation and Commonwealth:
Presently, a continuous Vigil of Her Majesty’s Coffin is being kept by The King’s Body Guards at the Palace of Westminster. Each Watch lasts for six hours, with individuals within those Watches keeping Vigil for 20 minutes.
The Coffin is draped with the Royal Standard, on which lie the Instruments of State, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre, where they will remain for the duration of the State Funeral and Committal Service.
A Vigil around the Coffin will be held by The King, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York, and The Earl of Wessex at 1930hrs this evening, Friday 16th September.
On the morning of the State Funeral, the Lying-in-State will end at 0630hrs as the final members of the public are admitted.
At 1044hrs the Coffin will be borne in Procession on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey for the State Funeral.
Immediately following the Coffin will be The King, Members of the Royal Family and members of The King’s Household.
The Procession will arrive at the West Gate of Westminster Abbey at 1052hrs where the Bearer Party will lift the coffin from the State Gun Carriage and carry it into the Abbey for the State Funeral Service.
The State Funeral Service will be attended by Heads of State and Overseas Government Representatives, including Foreign Royal Families, Governors General and Realm Prime Ministers.
Other representatives of the Realms and the Commonwealth, the Orders of Chivalry including recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross, Government, Parliament, devolved Parliaments and Assemblies, the Church, and Her Majesty’s Patronages will form the congregation, along with other public representatives.
Almost 200 people who were recognised in The Queen’s Birthday Honours earlier this year will also join the congregation, including those who made extraordinary contributions to the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and have volunteered in their local communities.
The State Funeral Service will be conducted by the Dean of Westminster.
During the Service, the Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth will read Lessons. The Archbishop of York, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Free Churches Moderator will say Prayers.
The Sermon will be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who will also give the Commendation. The Dean of Westminster will then pronounce the Blessing.
Towards the end of the Service, at approximately 1155hrs, Last Post will sound followed by Two Minute’s Silence to be observed in the Abbey, and throughout the United Kingdom.
The National Anthem will bring the State Funeral Service to a close at approximately 12 noon.
After the Service, Her Majesty’s Coffin will be borne through the Abbey, returning to the State Gun Carriage for the Procession to Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, arriving at 1300hrs. The King and Members of the Royal Family will again follow The Queen’s Coffin in Procession.
The Procession will include detachments from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth. Minute Guns will be fired in Hyde Park by The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, and Big Ben will toll throughout the duration of the Procession.
At Wellington Arch, the Coffin will be transferred to the State Hearse to travel to Windsor. As the State Hearse departs Wellington Arch, the Parade will give a Royal Salute and the National Anthem will be played. His Majesty The King and Members of the Royal Family will then depart for Windsor.
When the Coffin reaches Windsor, the State Hearse will slow to join a Procession to be formed up on Albert Road to travel via the Long Walk to St George’s Chapel, Windsor for the Committal Service. Members of the Royal Family will join the Procession in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle. Minute Guns will be fired on the East Lawn, Windsor Castle by The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, and Sebastopol Bell and the Curfew Tower Bell will be tolled.
The Procession will halt at the bottom of the West Steps of St. George’s Chapel where a Guard of Honour, found by the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, will be mounted. The Queen’s Coffin will be borne in Procession into the Chapel.
The Committal Service will begin at 1600hrs, and alongside His Majesty The King and Members of the Royal Family, the congregation will be made up of past and present members of The Queen’s Household, including from the private estates. Also in attendance will be Governors General and Realm Prime Ministers.
The Service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, with prayers said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk and the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park. The Choir of St George’s Chapel will sing during the Service.
Prior to the final Hymn, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre will be removed from Her Majesty The Queen’s Coffin, and placed on the Altar. At the end of the final Hymn, The King will place The Queen’s Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on Her Majesty’s Coffin. At the same time, The Lord Chamberlain will “break” his Wand of Office and place it on the Coffin.
As The Queen’s Coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor will say a Psalm and the Commendation before Garter King of Arms pronounces Her Majesty’s styles and titles.
The Sovereign’s Piper will play a Lament and The Archbishop of Canterbury will pronounce the Blessing. The National Anthem will be sung at the conclusion of the Service.
A Private Burial will take place in The King George VI Memorial Chapel later that evening, conducted by the Dean of Windsor.
The Queen is to be buried together with The Duke of Edinburgh.
Bank holiday arrangements in Scotland
Guidance has been issued by the Scottish Government for the bank holiday on Monday 19 September for the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen.
Schools should close as a mark of respect. This advice also applies to other education settings that would normally be closed on a bank holiday. Most local authority-run early learning and childcare (ELC) services are expected to close.
Health boards have been given guidance to support their planning for the holiday which underlines the importance of essential healthcare services continuing. This includes pre-planned treatments, and the winter vaccination programme. Patients should visit their local NHS board website for further information.
Most public transport services are currently expected to run as normal. Passengers should contact operators for information.
Not everyone is entitled to paid leave on bank holidays. If in doubt, check the position with your employer.
Private and voluntary ELC providers and independent schools will make their own decisions on bank holiday arrangements.
Her Majesty The Queen’s coffin will now Lie at Rest in St Giles’ Cathedral, giving an opportunity for the public to pay their respects.
Mourners will be able to file past the coffin from around 5:30pm this evening (Monday 12 September) until 3pm tomorrow (Tuesday 13 September).
Large crowds are expected and there are likely to be delays on public transport. People are being asked to check ahead and come prepared to stand in long queues.
The queue will start at George Square Lane/North Meadow Walk in The Meadows, where one wristband per person will be issued. Only those with wristbands will be able to enter St Giles.
A series of local and major road closures will be in place. This will have a significant knock-on impact on surrounding trunk roads and the Edinburgh City Bypass. There is no additional parking at George Square, and mourners should wherever possible access George Square by public transport or on foot.
Flowers can be laid in Middle Meadow Walk and Palace of Holyrood House but will not be permitted into St Giles Cathedral.
The queue will pass a number of locations where refreshments can be bought, however people are advised to also bring their own food and drinks. It is also important people are prepared for changeable weather conditions. Toilets will be available and visitors will be able to leave the queue briefly to use the facilities.
Airport-style security checks for entering St Giles’ will be in place at George IV Bridge and there will be tight restrictions on what can be taken into the cathedral.
The queue may close early to ensure as many visitors as possible can enter the cathedral before the Lying-At-Rest period ends should it be clear that those joining the queue beyond that time could not be accommodated before the vigil ends.
Mourners will be asked to pass the coffin without pausing, to enable as many people as possible to do so. Once people have paid their respects, they are asked to move away from the exits to allow the queue to keep flowing.
The security search point and St Giles Cathedral have step-free access. Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other official assistance dogs are permitted within St Giles Cathedral.
Filming and photography:
Filming, photography, use of mobile phones or other handheld devices is prohibited in the security search area or within St Giles Cathedral.
Bag policy:
Visitors will be allowed to take in one bag no larger than 40 X 30 X 20 cms and certain items are prohibited. There will be no facility for bag drops in the security area.
TODAY –Monday 12 September at 3pm – there will be a Service to celebrate the life of The Queen and her connection to Scotland at St Giles Cathedral.
Those represented at the service include members of the public, friends, family members and representatives of the charities and organisations The Queen was affiliated to in Scotland.
The service will be led by the Reverend Calum MacLeod.
There will be limited space along the Royal Mile. Those wishing to attend are advised to allow plenty of time. Access may be restricted for safety reasons.
Her Majesty The Queen will then lie at rest at St Giles’ Cathedral following the service. Members of the public are anticipated to begin arriving to pay their respects from 5pm until tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 13 September).
This is expected to cause further delays and road closures and Lothian advises customers to plan ahead.
Travellers should check Lothian’s service alerts page here or the app for the latest information.
Guidance has also been issued for how public can attend Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall:
Lying-in-State will take place from Wednesday 14 September until Monday 19 September
Public will be able to walk past The Queen’s coffin to pay respects
A ceremonial procession which precedes the Lying-in State will convey Her Majesty The Queen from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall
Members of the public will be able to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen at the Lying-in-State at The Palace of Westminster in London from Wednesday evening.
Ahead of that a ceremonial procession will take place on Wednesday afternoon that will see The Queen’s coffin travel from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster for the Lying-in-State.
Members of the public can watch the procession in person at the ceremonial viewing areas along the processional route, or at a screening site in Hyde Park.
At the Lying-in-State, The Queen’s closed coffin will rest on a raised platform, called a catafalque, in Westminster Hall and will be draped in the Royal Standard with the Orb and Sceptre placed on top.
Each corner of the platform will be guarded around the clock by a vigil of units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division, or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London.
The public will be able to file past the coffin 24 hours a day from 5pm on Wednesday 14 September until 6.30am on the day of the funeral – Monday 19 September.
Those wishing to attend will be required to queue for many hours, possibly overnight. Large crowds are expected and people are encouraged to check ahead, plan accordingly and be prepared for long wait times.
All those attending the Lying-in-State will go through airport-style security and there are tight restrictions on what you can take in, with only small bags permitted. Step-free access will be available for those who need it.
For those unable to travel, key moments of the ceremonial procession and the Lying-in-State will be broadcast on the BBC, Sky News and ITV.
‘I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.
‘Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.
‘Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where The Queen was Head of State, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than 70 years in which my Mother, as Queen, served the people of so many nations.
‘In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples.
‘That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty.
‘Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never waivered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss.
‘In her life of service we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless embrace of progress, which make us great as Nations. The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign.
‘And, as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humour and an unerring ability always to see the best in people.
‘I pay tribute to my Mother’s memory and I honour her life of service. I know that her death brings great sadness to so many of you and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure, with you all.
‘When The Queen came to the throne, Britain and the world were still coping with the privations and aftermath of the Second World War, and still living by the conventions of earlier times.
‘In the course of the last 70 years we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths.
‘The institutions of the State have changed in turn. But, through all changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of Realms – of whose talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud – have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained, and must remain, constant.
‘The role and the duties of Monarchy also remain, as does the Sovereign’s particular relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England – the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted.
‘In that faith, and the values it inspires, I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government.
‘As The Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.
‘And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.
‘My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities.
‘It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.
‘This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla.
‘In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort. I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.
‘As my Heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me. He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall which I have undertaken for more than five decades.
‘Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty.
‘With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.
‘I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.
‘In a little over a week’s time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example.
‘On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express.
‘And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years.
‘May “flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest”.’
King Charles III will be officially proclaimed monarch during an ancient Accession Council ceremony which will be televised for the first time this morning.
Charles automatically became King on the death of his mother, but the Accession Council, attended by Privy Counsellors, will confirm his new role at 10am today.
A national two-minute silence will take place today to remember all those who have died in conflict
Members of the Royal Family and senior politicians to attend National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph
Veterans and members of the public will return to Whitehall for this year’s service
At 11:00 today, the UK will fall silent to remember all those who have died in conflict since the First World War.
As well as a national two-minute silence, wreaths will be laid at war memorials across the country and Members of the Royal Family will join senior politicians at the Cenotaph in London for the National Service of Remembrance.
This year’s service will return to normal with approximately 8,000 veterans taking part in The Royal British Legion’s Veteran Parade and members of the public returning to Whitehall after the service was closed to the public in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
For those unable to travel to London for the National Service of Remembrance or to their local Remembrance Sunday service, the national event will be broadcast live on BBC One, Sky and ITV as well as on YouTube.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Today we come together to remember those who sacrificed everything in service of our country, in the First World War and every conflict since, including recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It’s a sacred ceremony that has endured for more than a century because we know the unpayable debt we owe those brave servicemen and women.
“We know that for our tomorrow they gave their today. And we know that here at home and around the world, thousands of men and women in uniform still stand ready to defend our unity and our way of life, our values, and at a cost few among us would be willing to pay.
“Today we come together. We wear our poppies with pride and stand as a nation in two minutes of silent tribute.”
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Every year we come together on Remembrance Sunday to honour the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
“I am pleased that this year we can welcome back veterans in the march past and the public to be part of this special service. I hope that people across the country and from every walk of life will join those attending today in remembering those to whom we owe so much.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “On Remembrance Sunday we pause to remember all those who died in the service of their country and reflect on the sacrifices our personnel continue to make on operations around the globe.
“The commitment and sacrifice of our veterans continue to inspire today’s service personnel as they strive to honour their legacy.”
Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter said: “It is an honour to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of all those who have lost their lives in the service of our country.
“They died to protect the free and open way of life that we enjoy today. On Remembrance Sunday all members of the Armed Forces will reflect on this legacy, regardless of where and in what circumstances they are serving, sure in the knowledge that they now have the responsibility to uphold the values and standards that their forebears espoused.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Docherty said: “Every year on Remembrance Sunday, we reflect on the incredible courage and commitment of our armed forces and veterans.
“Their dedication to our country will never be forgotten and we continue to honour their sacrifices.”
Bob Gamble, Assistant Director for Commemorative Events at the Royal British Legion, said: “For one hundred years the Royal British Legion has led the nation in Remembrance to ensure the memory of those who have served and sacrificed on our behalf is upheld.
“Remembrance is part of the fabric of society, reminding us of our shared history, and today it continues to unite people of all backgrounds, communities, and generations.
“Nearly ten thousand veterans will march past the Cenotaph to honour those who have defended freedom and democracy, and that number will also include hundreds of young people from the Cadets, Guides, and Scouts.
“It is vital the torch of Remembrance is passed to younger generations and we’re proud so many will be attending alongside veterans of all ages. The RBL invites everyone to join us, in our special Centenary year, as we reflect on the selflessness of the Armed Forces community over the Remembrance weekend.”
Those planning to attend the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph should follow the government’s latest Covid-19 guidance.
Public are asked not to attend if they have symptoms of Covid-19 or have been instructed to self-isolate.
The House of Commons will next meet on Monday at 2.30pm, following the announcement of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Scottish Parliament will also reconvene on Monday.
The Scottish Parliament’s flags are flying at half-mast following the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh said: “On behalf of the Scottish Parliament I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and to the Royal Family following the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
“The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied Her Majesty The Queen on each of her visits to the Scottish Parliament since 1999. Their unwavering support for this institution and The Duke’s unwavering support to Her Majesty were clear for all to see and his loss will be deeply felt.”
Earlier today Buckingham Palace announced the death of the Duke of Edinburgh after a short illness.
A notice informing the public of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh was placed on the gates of Buckingham Palace. It read:
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
At the express request of HRH Duke of Edinburgh, and in line with current COVID restrictions, there will be no official ceremonial events during this period.
Although this is an extraordinarily difficult time for many, we are asking the public not to gather at Royal Residences, and continue to follow public health advice particularly on avoiding meeting in large groups and on minimising travel.
We (the UK Government) are supporting the Royal Household in asking that floral tributes should not be laid at Hillsborough Castle at this time. The Royal Family have asked that members of the public consider making a donation to a charity instead of leaving floral tributes in memory of The Duke of Edinburgh.
An online Book of Condolence is now available should members of the public wish to express their condolences. This is available at the Royal Family Website
Further details of the funeral will be announced by Buckingham Palace in due course.
Her Majesty The Queen, Patron, sends message of thanks to Red Cross volunteers and staff His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, President of the British Red Cross, introduces new online exhibition ‘150 voices’: www.redcross.org.uk/150voices. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge pens letter to 150 nominated Red Cross staff and volunteers, paying tribute to her own family ties to the Red Cross Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, Vice-President, telephones one of the charity’s longest-serving volunteers
The British Red Cross is 150 years old today. To mark the anniversary, members of the Royal Family have come together to recognise the work of the volunteers, staff, supporters and partners of the charity who have made a difference to the lives of millions of people who have faced crisis, both in the UK and overseas.
Today the Red Cross is responding to one of the most challenging humanitarian emergencies in modern history, showing the power of kindness as it supports the most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.
Her Majesty the Queen, Patron of the Red Cross for 64 years, has sent a message to volunteers and staff to thank them for their dedicated work supporting some of the most vulnerable people here in the UK and overseas.
As the charity’s longest-serving Patron, The Queen has supported the British Red Cross across the decades; then Princess Elizabeth, one of her earliest visits was to a Red Cross hut caring for tuberculosis patients in 1951. On the 100th anniversary of the charity, Her Majesty hosted a Buckingham Palace Garden Party for Red Cross staff and volunteers.
As the charity’s President since 2003, The Prince of Wales has recorded an introduction to a new online exhibition, ‘150 voices’, as part of the anniversary.
The online exhibition showcases 150 objects from the British Red Cross museum and archives collection, which have been specially selected to highlight the role of the charity as it supported people during some of the darkest moments in the last century and a half.
Inspired by communities across the UK and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the exhibition includes objects such as a letter from Florence Nightingale, a WWI ambulance drivers’ cap and a food parcel distributed by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent during the Syria crisis.
In the online introduction, The Prince of Wales says: “I am proud to say that my family has played its own part in supporting the work of the British Red Cross throughout its history.
“As President, I have felt it to be of great importance to continue this close association and to help in whatever small way I can to support the extraordinary work of the Red Cross.
“The work of the Red Cross is as essential today as it has ever been, helping those in need both in the United Kingdom and around the world, strengthening our communities and supporting people to face the challenges of an ever-changing and unpredictable world.”
In 2018, His Royal Highness met Red Cross volunteers in the aftermath of the devastating Grenfell Tower fire. At the beginning of this year, The Prince also met with staff and volunteers while visiting the flood hit town of Pontypridd, South Wales following Storm Dennis.
Most recently, HRH thanked Red Cross staff and volunteers through a video message, for their continued work during coronavirus.
As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations, The Duchess of Cambridge has penned a letter to 150 nominated Red Cross staff and volunteers, which will be sent alongside a commemorative coin from the Royal Mint.
The Duchess has a special connection to the charity, with her own great-grandmother and grandmother having volunteered as Red Cross nurses.
As Vice-President of the British Red Cross, Princess Alexandra spoke to a recipient of The Duchess’s letter and one of the charity’s longest serving volunteers, Anne Taylor, 87.
Anne has been volunteering for 80 years, having joined the British Red Cross on the 1st January 1940, when she was just seven years old at the height of WWII. More recently, Anne has helped to run the Red Cross mobility aids service in Truro, Cornwall.
Anne said of her conversation with Princess Alexandra: “It was a real honour to have royalty talking to me on the phone and to be able to share a lovely conversation about some of the things I’ve done over the years with the British Red Cross.
“I couldn’t believe that she mentioned meeting me before. It was a very normal conversation, we spoke about my time as a volunteer and about normal things, such as family and everyday life. A real privilege.”
The Royal Family has a long history of supporting the work of the British Red Cross, dating back to 1870 when Queen Victoria became the first official Patron of the charity.
Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross said: “We are very grateful to the Royal Family for their committed support to the British Red Cross throughout our long history and today as we mark our 150th anniversary.
“The British Red Cross has been helping people in crisis for 150 years; through two World Wars, working hand in hand with the NHS since its creation in 1948 and today in communities across the UK and overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Throughout our history it is the kindness of our volunteers, as well as the generosity of our supporters that has meant we can be there for people when they need us most, wherever they are and whomever they may be.”
