London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025

Pastor Mick: Duke and Duchess show support for Burnley charity

Pastor Mick: Duke and Duchess show support for Burnley charity

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have shown their support for a charity set up during the coronavirus pandemic to help the grief-stricken and homeless.

Prince William and Catherine met Pastor Mick Fleming, who founded Church on the Street in Burnley, Lancashire to support those in need.

During the visit, Pastor Mick explained how "so many people in Burnley fall through the gaps with poverty".

He told the royal couple that the charity aimed to "make a real impact".

The BBC previously spent 12 months filming with Pastor Mick, a former drug dealer who turned his life around after finding his faith.

Prince William told Pastor Mick that he had watched the programme and had been moved by the charity's work.

In his 20s, Pastor Mick was a well-established underworld fixer and drug dealer in North West of England but he now dedicates his life to helping those in need.

He told the Duke and Duchess: "If we hadn't have been here or something like us hadn't have been here then I daren't even think."

The royal couple also met volunteers, staff and people who rely on the charity.

This included Deacon, 11, whose mother died during the pandemic.

Speaking to Deacon, Prince William said: "I lost my mum when I was 15, it's difficult but it gets easier I promise you."

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met 11-year-old Deacon whose mum died during the pandemic


At the scene

Ed Thomas, BBC News

From feeding the hungry on a car park in the centre of Burnley, to providing free funerals to those in poverty and securing his own church building to provide essential care for people suffering mental health crisis, it's been a relentless 18 months for Pastor Mick Fleming.

Today his frontline work during Covid in the most deprived parts of the town was recognised by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

They had seen the BBC's reporting from the town during the pandemic and wanted to visit Pastor Mick to offer support and understand more about the work that takes place in Church on the Street.

The centre focuses on drug dependency, homelessness, and mental health support, there's also a food bank and free clothes available.

Prince William and Catherine spent more than an hour in Burnley, speaking to volunteers and listening to people who are going through crisis.

Pastor Mick said it was a day of hope after witnessing so much suffering during Covid.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge earlier visited Clitheroe Community Hospital where they thanked staff for their work and met 10-week-old cockapoo Alfie.

The pup will be trained to support patients and colleagues at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust alongside therapy dog Jasper.

William told staff: "We're so grateful for all your hard work.

"I'm not sure there are enough words to say how grateful everyone is for what you have done."

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to Clitheroe Community Hospital


Prince William and Catherine met Pastor Mick Fleming at Church on the Street


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×