Royals

Sarah Ferguson admits her charity made her a better mum

It's her greatest accomplishment, second to being a mother!
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Sarah Ferguson couldn’t be prouder about being the mother to her two daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

The Duchess of York, who shares her girls with ex-husband Prince Andrew, spoke out about how her work helped shape her as a mother.

In 1992, the 58-year-old founded the charity Children in Crisis.

The proud parent had gone to Poland, where she met with victims of the pollution – which was considered to be the highest childhood mortality rate in Europe.

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Sarah believes her charity work made her a “better mother”.

Shocked by what she had seen, Sarah made the “controversial” decision to use her platform to help those who didn’t have a voice.

That choice is what Sarah believes made her a “better mother”.

Writing a first-person article for The Evening Standard, she mused, “It has certainly made me a better mother to my daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, giving me a sense of perspective, and allowing me to encourage them to use the platform they have to get involved in charitable work.”

Fergie founded the charity 25 years ago, after an eye-opening trip to Poland.

And she has made quite the impact!

Speaking of how it all started, Fergie penned, “I will never forget meeting Anya, a young girl dying of cancer in horrible conditions in Poland.”

“I’d been told about how the pollution in industrialised Upper Silesia meant there was a childhood mortality rate that was the highest in Europe, and decided I should see for myself what was happening.”

The Duchess continued, “I was told I shouldn’t make such a trip, that it would be controversial, but I’m glad I did.”

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The House of York have actively played a part in Children in Crisis.

Fergie was gobsmacked that Anya wasn’t alone.

“She was one of many children I saw suffering: on that ward there were no proper drugs or anaesthetics, and one chemotherapy needle was being shared by them all.”

“Anya taught me the meaning of courage and inspired the launch of my charity, Children in Crisis.”

The Duchess Of York with her daughters at a Santa’s Starry Night Show back in 1999, in aid of the charity.

The charity work was also instumental for Fergie.

“It has probably saved my life, too, by giving me purpose through hard times.”

“As my grandmother always said, ‘When you feel bad about yourself, go out there and do something for somebody else’.”

“Again, lots of people told me that I shouldn’t do it, that it was bound to fail. But I was convinced that there was more that could be done.”

Following the demise of her marriage, Fergie threw herself into her humanitarian work.

Children in Crisis is set to begin a brand new chapter, joining forces with another charity Street Child.

Fergie went to Nepal to mark the exciting venture.

“Children in Crisis has been like a third child to me over the past 25 years. Now it’s time to let it do something new and better,” she says.

“The newly-merged charity will operate across 10 countries, and look to expand into more.”

And the mum couldn’t be more excited to share that her girls will be joining the team.

“I will be its founder patron and Beatrice and Eugenie will become ambassadors for its work.”

Princess Eugenie took to Instagram to express her joy over the partnership.

“My wonderful mother has merged her charity @childrenincrisis with @streetchilduk . Together they will strive to provide children with education and ensure that every child has the chance to go to school and learn. So happy to see charities coming together for a common goal!”

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