The charitable organisation founded by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has confirmed it will cease operations in the coming days, a decision announced shortly after the release of millions of documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Charity to Close After Months of Deliberation
A spokesperson for Sarah's Trust stated on Monday evening that the charity would close "for the foreseeable future" following "some months" of discussion among trustees. The announcement comes just days after the United States Department of Justice published over three million documents concerning Epstein, which appear to shed further light on his connections with both Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
Official Statement from Sarah's Trust
The spokesperson elaborated: "Our chair Sarah Ferguson and the board of trustees have agreed that with regret the charity will shortly close for the foreseeable future. This has been under discussion and in train for some months. We remain extremely proud of the work of the trust over recent years."
The charity highlighted its extensive global impact, having collaborated with more than sixty partner charities across over twenty countries. Its initiatives spanned multiple critical areas including:
- Educational programmes providing schooling for over two hundred children in Ghana
- Healthcare projects delivering medical aid and professional training
- Crisis response efforts including the distribution of more than 150,000 aid parcels during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Environmental conservation projects
- Support for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine through medical assistance and training
Timing Raises Questions
The closure announcement follows closely on the heels of Friday's document release by American authorities, which reportedly contains new information about Epstein's associations with British royal figures. While the charity's statement emphasises that closure discussions have been ongoing for several months, the proximity to these revelations has inevitably drawn public attention and speculation.
Sarah Ferguson, who was married to Prince Andrew from 1986 until their divorce in 1996, established the trust to coordinate her philanthropic endeavours. The organisation has operated for years without major controversy until recent developments surrounding Epstein's network came to light.
The charity's spokesperson concluded by reaffirming their pride in the trust's accomplishments, stating: "We have partnered with over 60 other charities in over 20 countries, providing education, healthcare, crisis response and environmental projects. We delivered over 150,000 aid parcels during the Covid pandemic, provided medical aid and training for those affected by the war in Ukraine and delivered education for over 200 children in Ghana."
