The Patron of Save the Children has marked the end of the Save with Stories campaign by reading a special book. 

HRH The Princess Royal, the Patron of Save the Children, has marked the end of Save the Children’s Save With Stories initiative by reading Thomas and Friends: The Royal Engine. The story sees Thomas overcome various obstacles as he attempts to get The Fat Controller to London in time to collect an award from the Queen.

A video of the special reading, which has been shared on Save the Children UK’s Instagram page and is viewable below, marks the final instalment of the fundraising initiative, which has seen over 70 well-known faces reading an array of bedtime stories. In addition to entertaining millions of families during lockdown, the campaign has so far raised £1.4m to support families in the UK, and around the world, whose lives have been devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Princess Royal became the Patron of Save the Children in 2017 after serving as President since 1970. In the video, she tells viewers that she enjoyed reading the story of The Royal Engine when she was a child. Save the Children Ambassador Poppy Delevingne launched the UK version of Save With Stories in mid-April at the height of lockdown. The Princess Royal joins niece-in-law Meghan Markle and an array of other famous faces from the world of film, TV, theatre, music, fashion and beyond, who have all taken part in the campaign.

Gemma Sherrington, executive director of Fundraising and Marketing at Save the Children, said: “We are thrilled that Save With Stories has captured the imagination of families across the UK over these past 11 weeks. It feels right that after 50 years of support for Save the Children, it is Her Royal Highness who read the last story. As ever, we are incredibly grateful for her unwavering support.”

The videos are currently available on Save the Children UK’s Instagram and Facebook pages. Readers wishing to donate can visit savethechildren.org.uk/savewithstories or text STORIES to 70008 to give a one-off donation of £5 (plus standard rate text message). All money raised will support the most vulnerable families in the UK and around the world, helping to provide supermarket vouchers, essential household items, virus protection and early learning packs.