Prince Charles is set to launch his 19th charity – the Prince’s Countryside Fund – with the aim of improving the long-term viability of the British countryside and its rural communities.

The new fund, which is expected to raise tens of millions of pounds for depressed rural areas over the next decade, is “designed to assist the smaller family farm”, the Prince stated.

The charity, which will open on 22 July, is raising money from a wide range of businesses and retailers, including Waitrose, in order to meet its main objectives.

These focus on improving the sustainability of British farming; targeting the areas of greatest need; reconnecting consumers with countryside issues, and supporting farming crisis charities through a dedicated emergency funding stream.

There will also be a focus on promoting school farms and gardens and educating children about the origins of food, whilst retaining reserve funds to distribute in the event of emergencies.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund is the latest design of the Prince of Wales, who has already created 18 charities that raise more than £130m every year.

One of those - the Foundation for Integrated Health – closed down in May after fraud allegations. The Prince has also recently had to deal with various investigations by the Charity Commission regarding political donations and his use of his architectural charity, the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment.