The Queen spent a remarkable day in Cornwall, showcasing her longstanding support for several local charities. Her Majesty’s engagements included visits to ShelterBox, Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF), and Cornwall Air Ambulance, all of which are close to her heart due to her patronage and commitment to community causes.
In Truro, The Queen began her visit at the ShelterBox headquarters, marking the charity’s 25th anniversary. ShelterBox, an international disaster relief charity based in Cornwall, has provided emergency shelter to over three million people in more than 100 countries since its inception in 2000. The Queen’s connection with ShelterBox dates back to 2006 when she was introduced to the charity during an official visit to Pakistan as the Duchess of Cornwall. She became President in 2007 and later took on the role of Patron in May 2021.
At ShelterBox’s Truro headquarters, The Queen toured exhibits showcasing the evolution of the charity’s disaster response strategies. She was given a demonstration of the shelter repair kits and the various shelters and aid items the charity uses in its global missions. The Queen also met members of the ShelterBox Book Club, a group that has raised more than £1.5 million to support the charity’s work, illustrating the power of community involvement and the passion for reading in fostering positive change.
Later, The Queen visited Wave House Church in Newquay, where she learned about the Cornwall Community Foundation’s work. As Patron of CCF since 2005, Her Majesty was introduced to various local projects funded by the Foundation, which has been instrumental in driving positive change across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The CCF focuses on empowering grassroots organisations, tackling inequality, and addressing the challenges of climate change and affordable housing. The Foundation has awarded over £117,000 in grants to support local initiatives like the Wave House Church’s Turnaround Project, which helps vulnerable and at-risk young people find housing and employment opportunities. The Queen met volunteers and individuals who had benefited from this work, including those supported by Newquay Foodbank and Clothes Horse, which helps provide clothing to families in need.
The Cornwall Community Foundation has awarded more than £22 million in small grants to volunteer-led organisations, helping combat poverty, exclusion, and disadvantage. The Queen’s visit reinforced her deep commitment to improving the lives of individuals in Cornwall through charitable engagement.
The Queen’s final stop of the day was at the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, where she officially opened the charity’s new operations unit at its headquarters and named its newly acquired helicopter, G-C.N.L.I. Her Majesty has been Patron of the Cornwall Air Ambulance since 2009, supporting its critical care services to those who are seriously sick or injured across the region. Cornwall Air Ambulance, the UK’s first air ambulance service, began operations in 1987 and has since completed over 32,000 missions. In 2024 alone, the service performed over 1,000 missions, showcasing its essential role in providing emergency medical care.
Accompanied by the Trust’s Chief Executive, The Queen toured the newly opened Newman Wing, which houses the Operations Unit. She also met with medical team members and witnessed a demonstration of the life-saving work carried out by Cornwall Air Ambulance. In the helicopter hangar, The Queen was greeted by a performance of “Sing it Home,” a song produced by the Air Ambulance’s HELi2 Appeal, which reached number 11 in the Official UK charts. The Queen took time to meet with aircrew, clinicians, volunteers, and former patients, before formally naming the new helicopter “The Duke of Cornwall,” a gesture made possible through the generous donations from the local community.
Her Majesty’s day in Cornwall not only highlighted her deep connection to the local community but also underscored her unwavering support for organisations that provide vital services to those in need. Whether through disaster relief, community empowerment, or life-saving medical care, The Queen’s visits reflected her long-standing dedication to improving lives and supporting those who serve others.
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