We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have built a playground in Uvalde, Texas, after the small town was rocked by a mass school shooting in May. An 18-year-old gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary school, killing 19 children and two teachers.

The Duchess of Sussex made a surprise visit to Uvalde shortly after the shooting, paying her respects at the memorial and laying flowers. 

She was also praised for reaching out directly to the family of one of the teachers who was killed.  

Now the couple have shown their support for the community by building a playground named The DeLeon Park, partnering their foundation Archewell with Kaboom, a charity committed to ending playspace inequality. 

Royal author Omid Scobie said on Twitter the project aimed to “provide a sense of hope” to the community following the tragedy. 

Mr Scobie added: “The DeLeon Park project was created to foster a sense of togetherness and healing and honour lives lost.

The park is located four blocks from Robb Elementary school and it will be used by hundreds of families, including those reeling from the tragedy, Kaboom said in a statement.

The creation of the park was a community-led project that included input from kids at the school. 

Uvalde mayor Mayor Don McLaughlin said: “Uvalde has a long road ahead to recover, but this is a resilient and close-knit community.”

“Coming together to build the new playground at DeLeon Park has given community members a way to unite around something positive as they try to heal.” 

Community member Mayra Vasquez said she was excited to see families come together in the park.

She said: “It warms my heart to see everyone unify to bring hope and positive change for our community and children by helping to build this special playground.”

James Holt, Executive Director of Archewell Foundation, said it had been an “honour” for the foundation to be involved. 

“Our hope is that this special project can help the community heal, and be home to imagination, games and play for many years to come.”

The Duchess spoke of her work with Archewell in an interview with Variety published on Wednesday. 

In the wide-ranging piece, she opened up about the late Queen, hailing the late sovereign as a “shining example of female leadership”.

The mourning period had been a “complicated time”, she said. 

The Duchess reflected on the time she has spent with the late monarch, saying: “I feel deep gratitude to have been able to spend time with her and get to know her.”

The Duchess also spoke candidly about how she would react if her children told her they wanted to work in entertainment when they grow up, how Hollywood and the entertainment industry have changed since she left acting and even shared Harry’s love for In-N-Out burgers. 

Source: Read Full Article