Prince Harry's Charity Saved By Controversial Politician

Prince Harry's charity has been saved by a controversial British politician. Lord Ashcroft - the billionaire deputy chairman of the British Conservative party, who donates millions of pounds to the party each year to help them fight marginal seats - gave $500,000 to Sentebale when he discovered it was facing collapse.

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He decided to help the charity - which was set up in 2006 in honor of Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana - after he heard about the work it had done in the impoverished kingdom of Lesotho in South Africa.

Lord Ashcroft's spokesman said: "Lord Ashcroft is supportive of any initiative which brings real benefit to Africa."

The royal family does not usually get involved with political figures, but Sentebale trustees reportedly thought they had no choice on this occasion.

A source said: "We got closer to running down our resources than we would have liked. We have brought in some new donors."

Last month, it was claimed the charity had promised $60,000 to children in Lesotho a year ago, but had failed to hand over the money. It was claimed the situation was so bad, the Lesotho Child Counseling Unit was relying on donations donations of peas, beans, rice and cooking oil from the World Food Program and World Vision.

Chairman of the unit, Dr. Motlatsi Morolong, said at the time: "I would fly to London if I thought it would help to appeal to Prince Harry in person to help us. He is a well intentioned man and so is his brother. The situation is critical and we cannot understand why they do not fulfill the promise they made to us to help these children."