Meghan Markle’s ‘global baby shower’ leaves charities ‘FLABBERGASTED’
MEGHAN Markle’s favourite charities have been left “flabbergasted” by donations after her biggest fans organised an online baby shower.
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The Duchess of Sussex’s followers launched the #GlobalSussexBabyShower fundraiser on social media on Mother’s Day. With just weeks to go until Meghan gives birth to her first child with Prince Harry, her fans are calling for donations to be made to charities supported by the Duchess including Camfed, Mayhew and WellChild. It comes after Meghan’s official baby shower in New York in February.
Animal charity Mayhew, of which Meghan was appointed patron earlier this year, told US magazine People they are “all absolutely flabbergasted” by the outpouring of support.
CEO Caroline Yates said: “It was such an incredible thing to come in and see on a Monday morning.
“We’re so, so grateful to everyone who has shared the original post and donated to Mayhew, and are trying to thank everyone as quickly as possible!”
A spokeswoman for Camfed, which works to promote girls’ education in Africa, said: “It’s been an extraordinary weekend; we spent all of it on social thanking people as individually as possible.”
In a tweet, the charity added: “We are still blown away by the response to the #GlobalSussexBabyShower! We can't thank everyone enough for their generosity.
“A special shout out to @QueensComTrust for introducing The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to our work – this wouldn’t be possible without you!”
Wellchild’s chief executive Colin Dyer said in a statement: “We have been surprised and delighted by the donations from supporters of #globalsussexbabyshower its great that an online outpouring of goodwill can lead to practical help for children with serious illness and their families.
“We would like to thank all who donated for their kind support.”
Launching the online event, royal fan account Baby Sussex’s Au Pair tweeted: “We’re kicking off a GLOBAL fundraiser on Sunday, 31st of March in honor of #BabySussex and the compassion and altruism of The #DukeandDuchessofSussex.
“We’ve selected 3 charities to benefit in this effort. Tweet your donations and include hash #GlobalSussexBabyShower RETWEET!”
A royal insider told Harpers Bazaar that the palace was “hugely warmed” by the fundraiser.
They said: “The charities have all been in touch to share the news with Kensington Palace, who are hugely warmed by the fundraising efforts.
“It’s an incredibly thoughtful way to mark a special occasion.”
Meghan is due to give birth later this month or in early May but her exact due date has been kept a closely-guarded secret.