Yesterday, 15th May, marked the conclusion of Prince Harry’s tour of the United States, culminating with the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup in Greenwich, Connecticut. There was Royal jubilation as The Sentebale Land Rover team was victorious in a close match, which saw Prince Harry scoring the winning goal. The Sentebale Land Rover team took home the trophy, which was presented by Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers and top model Karolina Kurkova, with a victory of 4-3 over the St Regis Team. As the final amounts are being tallied at the end of the event, Sentebale have already reached a record breaking target of over 1 million U.S. dollars.

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This year’s Polo Cup, the third consecutive partnership for Sentebale and Royal Salute, again drew a high profile crowd who travelled from all over the world to gather at the renowned Greenwich Polo Club, owned by businessman, art collector and polo patron, Peter Brant. Distinguished guests included His Grace Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll.

Greenwich and New York’s most influential figures also attended the Cup, including Karolina Kurkova and her husband Archie Dury, Olivia Palermo and boyfriend Johannes Hueble, Fashion designers Valentino and Jason Wu and TV host Gayle King who eagerly watched the Royal, and Argentine polo great, Nacho Figueras, battle it out on the field. Royal Salute Polo Ambassador and Captain of the Sentebale Land Rover team Malcolm Borwick also scored, leading the team to an impressive victory.

Speaking of his work for Sentebale, Prince Harry commented: “It is wonderful to be here at Greenwich Polo Club in Connecticut for the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup 2013. The success of our three previous polo events has helped Sentebale make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children in Lesotho, the Mountain Kingdom of southern Africa.”

Malcolm Borwick, Captain of The Sentebale Land Rover Team and Royal Salute Ambassador commented: “I feel very privileged to be playing polo in support of Sentebale; I admire what the charity is doing for the children of Lesotho. It is a great honour to play alongside my friends here in the USA. The Royal Salute World Polo Series has an ever increasing presence globally and events like this showcase what the brand is doing to raise the international profile of the sport, alongside great causes like Sentebale”.     

Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO, Chivas Brothers commented: “Royal Salute is honoured to be partnering with Sentebale for the third year, and to see The Sentebale Land Rover team take the title. Royal Salute has a fantastic presence in the USA, with the Royal Salute Jubilee Cup also played at Greenwich Polo Club in September. The exhibition of skill and craftsmanship we have seen today is a testament to the support and success of polo on the East Coast. We are delighted to extend Royal Salute’s commitment to international polo here in America”.

The tournament is the fifth fixture in the Royal Salute World Polo Series for 2013, showcasing the brand’s commitment to the most prestigious international polo events across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will be met by Mrs Elizabeth Banks (President, Royal Horticultural Society), at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and will then tour the gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show in its centenary year.

Prince Harry will greet The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at the B&Q Sentebale ‘Forget-Me-Not’ garden during the afternoon.

Sentebale is delighted to be exhibiting on the main garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time. We hope to raise awareness and funds for our cause in helping some of the most vulnerable children in the world, many of whom are victims of Lesotho’s HIV and AIDS epidemic.

The design of the garden is inspired by traditional features of Lesotho, in particular, the repetitive circular motif found in the landscape, buildings, hats and blankets of Lesotho, and represents the love and protection of the family in a country fractured by AIDS leaving many children vulnerable. We hope many people will visit our garden and come away knowing a little more about the small, landlocked country of Lesotho, the problems these children face and how Sentebale is giving hope to the next generation of Basotho people.

We are hugely grateful to B&Q for kindly sponsoring the garden and we hope to see you there.

Sentebale’s financial year ended on the 31^st August 2012. Once again, there was an increase in the income growth and amount spent on charitable activities.

The Financial Statement showed that Sentebale increased its income from £2.089million in 2010/2011 to £2.414million, showing a rise of 16%. Charitable expenditure also increased from £1,334million in the previous year to £1.620million in the year ended on the 31^st August 2012.

As part of our efforts to ensure we continued to see growth during this challenging economic climate, we broadened our fundraising efforts by taking part in new events and by developing new and existing relationships with our supporters – individuals, schools, trusts and foundation and corporate organisations. Their unwavering commitment has not only been reflected in this Financial Statement but more importantly, it has enabled us to make a visible difference to thousands of children’s lives in Lesotho.

In March 2012, Cathy Ferrier, ex-Fundraising Director from Oxfam was appointed CEO of Sentebale.

Cathy Ferrier, CEO said:

“I am pleased with the overall shape of the charity and the Report and Accounts show steady improvement in the charity’s performance, with income increasing by 16% year on year and the charitable expenditure increasing by 21%.

We are in a good position to significantly increase income over the coming years with some strong new funders coming on board, and this will enable us to expand our activities and reach many more children in southern Africa.”

Philip Green, Chairman, Board of Trustees said:

“I am very pleased to report that Cathy had a very successful first few months with us. The charity is making good progress and we have ambitious plans for the future.”

Download the 2011-2012 Report and Accounts

View all Report and Accounts

Polo star and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras was appointed an Ambassador for Sentebale in April 2013.

Nacho’s relationship has evolved from playing in several Sentebale charity matches with Prince Harry in the US, in England and in 2012 in Brazil where he captained the St. Regis polo team in the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup.

In February 2013, Nacho attended the Sentebale Gala Dinner in Johannesburg, which marked the launch of Sentebale’s major capital fundraising programme to build the first permanent Mamohato Centre for children and young people with HIV. Following the event, the father of four travelled to Lesotho to meet children benefiting from Sentebale’s projects – many whom are orphaned, with disabilities and are HIV-positive.

Nacho Figueras said:

As a parent, it’s always difficult to see children who are suffering because of health issues or poverty. I can feel and see how Sentebale is helping and changing these children’s lives. It is really happening, and I see so much potential for these children in the future. We can help change a generation, so it’s a privilege to be able to help Sentebale carry out this vital work and I am so proud to be made an Ambassador.”

Cathy Ferrier, Chief Executive of Sentebale said:

“We are very pleased to announce Nacho Figueras as an Ambassador for Sentebale. Nacho has already shown great dedication to this new role, contributing his time and energy to help make a real difference to the lives of Lesotho’s most vulnerable children. He is an enthusiastic and devoted supporter who will be a huge asset to Sentebale.”

Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras is one of very few high-goal players who actively draw spectators and media attention to the “Sport of Kings” – a sport with over two thousand years of history, an Olympic pedigree and an ever increasing fan base who recognise its addictive charm.

Born in Argentina in 1977, Nacho developed a love for horses and the game of polo when he was nine. By the time he was 17 Nacho had begun his professional polo career, and today plays polo all over the world including Spain, England, Argentina, Brazil, Singapore, Philippines, China and the UAE.