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==League of Mercy Foundation==
{{Infobox organization
| name = League of Mercy Foundation
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| logo = League of Mercy - logo.jpg
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| formation = {{start date and age|1999|3|30|df=y}}
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| purpose = To reward distinguished voluntary service
| headquarters = Surrey
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| leader_title = President
| leader_name = [[Robert Balchin, Baron Lingfield]]
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| website = {{URL|leagueofmercy.co.uk}}
}}
[[File:Order of the League of Mercy, post 1999 version.png |130px|thumb|right|Badge of the Order awarded since 1999]]
The '''League of Mercy Foundation''' was established as a charity on 30 March 1999, exactly 100 years after the founding of the original League.<ref name="LoM_Today">{{cite web|title=The League of Mercy Today|url=http://www.leagueofmercy.co.uk/League_of_Mercy_Today.htm|publisher=League of Mercy Foundation|accessdate=25 March 2016}}</ref> ItsOther than having the same name, there is no formal connection between the original League of Mercy and the foundation. The foundation states its role is to recognise and encourage those who undertake voluntary work in the care of people who are sick, vulnerable or homeless.<ref>[http://www.leagueofmercy.co.uk/Areas_of_Care.htm League of Mercy Foundation. ''Areas of care''.]</ref> Other than having the same name, there is no formal connection between the original League of Mercy and the foundation.
The foundation re-established the Order of Mercy with a similar medal design, but in silver gilt and without enamel or the Prince of Wales’s plumes. The reverse follows the earlier version, but now shows the year “1999”.<ref name=yearbook>{{Cite book|author=John Mussell (ed).|title=Medal Yearbook 2015.|page=302. Published by Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon}}</ref> A special Companion's Badge was also created to reward wider humanitarian work. This has red enamel, similar to the original badge, and is worn around the neck.<ref name=Companion/> The restored League established an annual award ceremony in which approximately 50 people are awarded the Order of Mercy, "as a reward for personal services gratuitously rendered in connection with the purposes for which the League was established." The Medal of the Order of the League of Mercy (OLM) and Companion's Badge of the Order of the League of Mercy are awarded each year at the [[Mansion House, London|Mansion House]] in London with awards appearing in the [[London Gazette]].<ref name="LG2">{{London Gazette |issue=60171 |date= 13 June 2012 |page=11312}}</ref> The Badge of the Order of the League of Mercy is part of the official Order of Wear of the United Kingdom, but this only applies to awards made prior to June 1947 when the League’s Royal Charter was surrendered.<ref name="LG3">{{London Gazette |issue=56878 |date=17 March 2003 |page= 3354|supp= 1}}</ref> ▼
Recipients are predominately chosen from long-serving community volunteers in the UK, but recipients have also included heads of former ruling houses, including [[David Bagration of Mukhrani|Prince David Bagrationi]] of [[Royal House of Georgia|Georgia]],<ref name=Georgia>[http://www.royalhouseofgeorgia.ge/p/eng/434/news/234/The-Prince-David-receives-the-Grand-Companion-s-Badge-of-the-Order-of-Mercy The Royal House of Georgia. ''Prince David receives the Grand Companion's Badge of the Order of Mercy''.]</ref> and [[Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro]] of [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|Bourbon-Two Sicilies]],<ref name=Companion>[http://www.realcasadiborbone.it/duke-castro-receives-companions-badge-league-mercy/ Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies. ''Duke of Castro receives the Companion’s Badge of the League of Mercy''.]</ref> who have received the higher grade of Companion of the Order of Mercy and, in return, have bestowed dynastic orders upon the League's President.<ref>[http://www.constantinian.org.uk/the-order-in-great-britain/ Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. ''Constantinian Order & Royal Order of Francis I in Great Britain''.]</ref> ▼
▲The foundation re-establishedgives an award named the Order of Mercy with a similar medal design as that of the original league, but in silver gilt and without enamel or the Prince of Wales’s plumes. The reverse follows the earlier version, but now shows the year “1999”.<ref name=yearbook>{{Cite book|author=John Mussell (ed).|title=Medal Yearbook 2015.|page=302. Published by Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon}}</ref> A special Companion's Badge was also created to reward wider humanitarian work. This has red enamel, similar to the original badge, and is worn around the neck.<ref name=Companion/> The restored League established an annual award ceremony in which approximately 50 people are awarded the Order of Mercy, "as a reward for personal services gratuitously rendered in connection with the purposes for which the League was established." The Medal of the Order of the League of Mercy (OLM) and Companion's Badge of the Order of the League of Mercy are awarded each year at the [[Mansion House, London|Mansion House ]] in London with awards appearing in the [[London Gazette]]. <ref name="LG2">{{LondonThe Gazettebadges |issue=60171are |date=similar 13to Junethat 2012of |page=11312}}</ref>the Theunrelated Badgeolder oforder, thebut Ordermay ofnot thebe Leagueofficially ofworn Mercyaccording is part ofto the official Order of Wear of the United Kingdom , but this only applies to awards made prior to June 1947 when the League’s Royal Charter was surrendered.<ref name="LG3">{{London Gazette |issue=56878 |date=17 March 2003 |page= 3354|supp= 1}}</ref>
Professor [[Alan Clive Roberts|Alan Roberts]], OBE, TD, a former pro-chancellor of [[Leeds University]] and cadet-commandant of Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, was appointed a Companion of the Order of Mercy in 2002,<ref>[http://www.leagueofmercy.co.uk/2002.htm League of Mercy Foundation. ''Awards 2002''.]</ref> having previously received an honorary doctorate from [[Brunel University London|Brunel University]], whose pro-chancellor is Lord Lingfield.<ref>[http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/people/honorary-graduates Brunel University. ''Honorary Graduates''.]</ref> Professor Roberts also serves as gentleman usher of the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, whose Knight Principal is Lord Lingfield.<ref>[http://www.iskb.co.uk/OFFICERS.htm Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor. ''Knights Principal''.]</ref>
▲Recipients are predominatelymostly chosen from long-serving community volunteers in the UK, but recipients have also included headspretenders of former ruling houses, including [[David Bagration of Mukhrani|Prince David Bagrationi]] of [[Royal House of Georgia|Georgia]],<ref name=Georgia>[http://www.royalhouseofgeorgia.ge/p/eng/434/news/234/The-Prince-David-receives-the-Grand-Companion-s-Badge-of-the-Order-of-Mercy The Royal House of Georgia. ''Prince David receives the Grand Companion's Badge of the Order of Mercy''.]</ref> and [[Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro]] of [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|Bourbon-Two Sicilies]],<ref name=Companion>[http://www.realcasadiborbone.it/duke-castro-receives-companions-badge-league-mercy/ Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies. ''Duke of Castro receives the Companion’s Badge of the League of Mercy''.]</ref> who have received the higher grade of Companion of the Order of Mercy and, in return, have bestowed dynastic orders upon the League's President.<ref>[http://www.constantinian.org.uk/the-order-in-great-britain/ Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. ''Constantinian Order & Royal Order of Francis I in Great Britain''.]</ref>
Other recipients include Thomas Balchin, Lord Lingfield's son,<ref>[http://www.leagueofmercy.co.uk/2015.htm League of Mercy Foundation. ''Awards 2015''.]</ref> who also serves as secretary to the council of the League of Mercy, and [[Anthony Bailey (PR advisor)|Anthony Bailey]], OBE.
===Legitimacy===
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