Remarks by HRH The Prince of Wales, Royal Founding Patron of British Asian Trust, during a reception at The Herbert Gallery, Coventry

Ladies and Gentleman,

I am enormously proud that all of you and your generosity, here in the United Kingdom, has done so much to help those in India who are going through such an incredibly difficult time. So, I cannot thank the Indian community enough here, the diaspora, and of course the wider community globally, for supporting all these people so in need.

I could not have imagined how much I sympathise with all those who have been so cruelly affected by this crisis and lost their loved ones. And, of course, it seems that almost every member of the diaspora here in the United Kingdom knows someone affected. So, I can understand even more, how much it means to them.

Of course, I particularly wanted to show my appreciation, as far as the British Asian Trust is concerned, as you have been able to begin a meaningful emergency appeal and actioned to ensure that oxygen concentrators have got to India and have been dispatched to rural areas, where there is a real need. Clearly, you know better than I, there is much more that is needed to be done to provide support and of course, to help build back better.

Ladies and Gentleman, once again, I cannot thank you enough for your response and for the degree to which you have responded and the amount of money that has been raised and pledged . You are making such a difference and it does make me very proud. Thank you.