Editing Cliff Richard (section)

==Personal life==
Richard's father, Rodger Webb, died in 1961, aged 56, which had a great impact on Richard. He later said: "My father died very young. He missed the best parts of my career. When my father was sick, we became very close."<ref>{{cite book |last=Persaud |first=Christopher H. K |title=God in Our Midst |date=2003 |publisher=Xlibris Corporation |location=USA |page=67 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aCkRjDOhqz8C&pg=PA67 |access-date=22 June 2014|isbn=9781465325747 }}{{self-published source|date=December 2017}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=December 2017}} Richard's mother, Dorothy, died in October 2007, aged 87, after a decade with [[Alzheimer's disease]]. In a 2006 interview, he spoke about the difficulties he and his sisters had in dealing with their mother's condition.<ref name="patrons">{{cite web |title=Alzheimer's Research UK: Patrons |url=http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/patrons/ |work=Alzheimer's Research UK |access-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923190942/http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/patrons/ |archive-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Richard is a lifelong bachelor.<ref name=autogenerated5>{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Stephen |title=Sir Cliff Richard chose music over love, letter shows |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/7571430/Sir-Cliff-Richard-chose-music-over-love-letter-shows.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/7571430/Sir-Cliff-Richard-chose-music-over-love-letter-shows.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=4 January 2014 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |date=9 April 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In a three-page letter written in October 1961 to "his first serious girlfriend",<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8612817.stm |title=Sir Cliff Richard picked music over love |date=10 April 2012 |work=BBC News |access-date=15 February 2012}}</ref> Australian dancer Delia Wicks, which was made public in April 2010 after her death from cancer, Richard wrote, "Being a pop singer I have to give up one priceless thing – the right to any lasting relationship with any special girl. I've just had to make, probably, one of the biggest decisions I'm ever going to make and I'm hoping that it won't hurt you too much."<ref name=autogenerated5 /> The couple had been dating for 18 months. In the letter he goes on to say, "I couldn't give up my career, besides the fact that my mother and sisters, since my father's death, rely on me completely. I have showbiz in my blood now and I would be lost without it." Richard urged her to "find someone who is free to love you as you deserve to be loved" and who "is able to marry you".<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/>

After Delia Wicks died in 2010, aged 71, her brother Graham Wicks said that she had been "devastated" by Richard's decision to end their relationship, describing Richard as "a very pleasant man".<ref name=autogenerated5 />

At the age of 22, a year after his relationship with Delia Wicks ended, Richard had a brief romance with the actress [[Una Stubbs]].<ref name=independent1 /> Later in the 1960s, Richard considered marriage to the dancer Jackie Irving. Richard described Irving as "utterly beautiful" and says for a time they were "inseparable".<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite news |last=Farmer |first=Ben |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2680292/Sir-Cliff-Richard-talks-of-ex-priest-companion.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2680292/Sir-Cliff-Richard-talks-of-ex-priest-companion.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Sir Cliff Richard talks of ex-priest companion |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=4 September 2008 |access-date=13 September 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Irving went on to marry [[Adam Faith]].

In his autobiography, Richard stressed that "sex is not one of the things that drives me", but he also wrote of his seduction by Carol Costa, who at the time was the estranged wife of [[Jet Harris]].<ref name="telegraph1"/>

In the 1980s, Richard considered asking [[Sue Barker]],<ref name="telegraph1"/> a former French Open tennis champion and [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] semi-finalist,<ref>{{cite web |title=Wimbledon 2013 on BBC TV: Biographies |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/wimbledon2013/tv-commentators.html |work=BBC – Media Centre |access-date=16 December 2013 |archive-date=25 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925170431/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/wimbledon2013/tv-commentators.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> if she would agree to marry him. In 2008, Richard said of his relationship with Barker: "I seriously contemplated asking her to marry me, but in the end I realised that I didn't love her quite enough to commit the rest of my life to her."<ref name="telegraph1"/>

Richard first met Barker in 1982, when she was aged 25. Their romance attracted considerable media attention after Richard flew to Denmark to watch her play in a tennis match and they were later photographed cuddling and holding hands at [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Turner (writer) |title=Cliff Richard: The Biography |year=2008 |publisher=Lion |location=Oxford |isbn=9780745952796 |page=288 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=He0S6tFOGPUC&pg=PA288}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Turner (writer) |title=Cliff Richard: The Biography |year=2008 |publisher=Lion |location=Oxford |isbn=9780745952796 |page=289 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=He0S6tFOGPUC&pg=PA289}}</ref> In an interview in February 1983, Richard spoke of the possibility of marriage with her. He said: "I'm seeing Sue, the only girl I want to see at the moment and if marriage comes on the horizon, I shall relish it."<ref>{{cite news |title=Mr Nice Guy Strikes Back! |first=Alison |last=Stewart |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gp1WAAAAIBAJ&pg=7189,1512013&dq=cliff+richard+sue+barker |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=6 February 1983 |access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref> In September 1983, Richard said that he had no immediate plans to marry Barker. He said: "It's not vital to get married and it's not vital to be a father. But I would like to settle down and have a family one day."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19830930&id=deYbAAAAIBAJ&pg=2814,7881075 |title=Richard has no plans to marry |newspaper=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]] |date=30 September 1983 }}</ref> In July 1984, Barker said of her romance with Richard: "I love him, he's great and I'm sure we love each other."<ref>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Steve |title=Cliff Richard: The Biography |year=2008 |publisher=Lion |location=Oxford |isbn=9780745952796 |page=296 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=He0S6tFOGPUC&pg=PA296}}</ref>

In 1986, after Richard's romance with Barker had ended and she began dating tennis player [[Steve Shaw (tennis)|Stephen Shaw]], Richard said that he was still a friend of Barker. He said: "We have a mutual respect for each other and that means a lot to me."<ref name=autogenerated6>{{cite news |title=Cliff Richard, the pop world's greatest survivor, says.... |last=Pearce |first=Sally |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KAROAAAAIBAJ&pg=6947,2859432&dq=cliff+richard+survivor&hl=en |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=12 January 1986 |access-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>

When later asked why he has never married, Richard said: "I've had a few false alarms. I've been in love, but marriage is a big commitment and being an artist consumes a great deal of time."<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2843373.stm |title=Sir Cliff Richard: Evergreen entertainer |work=BBC News |date=12 March 2003 |access-date=13 September 2012}}</ref> He said that in the early 1970s he was in love with the singer and actress [[Olivia Newton-John]]. Richard said: "At the time when I and many of us were in love with Olivia she was engaged to someone else. I'm afraid I lost the chance."<ref name="autogenerated2"/>

In 1988, Richard's nephew, Philip Harrison, spent the first four months of his life in a children's hospital suffering from serious breathing problems. Richard later helped to raise money for the hospital in east London and said that his nephew "had a terrible time but the hospital saved his life".<ref name=charity>{{cite news |title=Cliff on song for charity |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19900115&id=8TpAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5849,177999 |access-date=24 October 2014 |work=The Glasgow Herald |date=15 January 1990}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cliff says thanks by record|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19890213&id=njNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6055,3618546 |access-date=24 October 2014 |work=The Glasgow Herald |date=13 February 1989}}</ref>

Although he has never married, Richard has rarely lived alone. For many years, he shared his main home with his charity and promotion schedules manager, Bill Latham, and Latham's mother.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Sun Hasn't Set on Cliff Richard in 20 Years, and Now He's Conquered the U.S. with 'We Don't Talk Anymore{{'-}} |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20075846,00.html |date=18 February 1980 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227030436/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20075846,00.html |archive-date=27 December 2013|first=Salley |last=Rayl |work=[[People (American magazine)|People]] |access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Book Review: Well, is he or isn't he?: Cliff Richard: The Biography by Steve Turner |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/book-review--well-is-he-or-isnt-he-cliff-richard-the-biography-by-steve-turner-lion-pounds-1699-1453346.html |date=4 April 1993 |first=Lynn |last=Barber |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> In 1982, Richard described them as his "second family".<ref name="Jobson">{{cite news |title=Mum and pine trees keep Cliff Richard young |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19820102&id=DQBkAAAAIBAJ&pg=7007,283265 |date=2 January 1982 |first=Sandra |last=Jobson |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> Latham's girlfriend, Jill, also lived at the house in [[Weybridge]], Surrey, with them for a time.<ref name=independent1 /> In 1993, Bill Latham said of Richard's bachelor status: "His freedom has meant that he has been able to do much more than if he had a family. He always goes the extra mile. If he was to have a relationship, he would give it everything. So because his commitments have been his career, his faith, and more latterly, tennis, he has given himself wholeheartedly to those three activities."<ref>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Turner (writer) |title=Cliff Richard: The Biography |year=2008  |publisher=Lion |location=Oxford |isbn=9780745952796 |page=369 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=He0S6tFOGPUC&pg=PA369}}</ref>

Richard often declines discussion about close relationships, and when asked about suggestions that he may be homosexual has stated categorically that he is not. When the suggestions were first put to him in the late 1970s, Richard responded by saying: "It's untrue. People are very unfair with their criticism and their judgements. I've had girlfriends. But people seem to think that if a bloke doesn't sleep around he must be gay. Marriage is a very special thing to me. I'm certainly not going to do it just to make other people feel satisfied."<ref name="Jobson"/> In 1986, Richard said that rumours about his being homosexual had previously been "very painful" to him.<ref name=autogenerated6 />

When asked in 1992 if he had ever considered the possibility that he might be gay, he responded: "No".<ref name=turner373>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Steve |title=Cliff Richard: The Biography |year=2008 |publisher=Lion |location=Oxford |isbn=9780745952796 |page=373 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=He0S6tFOGPUC&pg=PA373}}</ref> Richard said: "Even if I got married tomorrow there would be a group of people who would believe what they wanted to believe. All that counts is what your family and friends know and they all trust and respect me. What the people outside think, I have no control over."<ref name=turner373/> Later in 1996, Richard said: "I'm aware of the rumours, but I am not gay."<ref name="autogenerated3"/> In 1997, he said: "People who are single shouldn't have to be second-class citizens – we needn't be embarrassed or feel guilty about it, we all have a role to play."<ref name=autogenerated7 />

Richard said that his faith in [[God]] was tested in 1999 after the murder of his close friend, the British television presenter [[Jill Dando]]. He said: "I was really angry with God. It shook me rigid that someone as beautiful, talented and harmless could have been killed."<ref>{{cite news |title=Sir Cliff's faith tested over Dando's murder |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sir+Cliff%27s+faith+tested+over+Dando%27s+murder.-a060493242 |access-date=30 June 2014 |work=The Birmingham Post |date=2 August 1999}}</ref> Richard said that Dando had many likeable qualities and described her as "a very genuine person". He said of Dando's murder: "It is very difficult to understand and I find it all very confusing."<ref>{{cite news |title=Sir Cliff mourns his 'gorgeous' friend |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/329668.stm |access-date=30 June 2014 |work=BBC News |date=27 April 1999}}</ref> He attended her funeral in May 1999 in [[Weston-super-Mare]], Somerset.<ref>{{cite news |title=Emotional farewell to Dando |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/349661.stm |access-date=30 June 2014 |work=BBC News |date=21 May 1999}}</ref>

Richard has spoken of his friendship with John McElynn, an American former missionary whom he met in 2001 on a visit to New York City.<ref>{{cite news |last=Duffin |first=Claire |title=Sir Cliff Richard reveals the secrets of his eternal youth |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/10022337/Sir-Cliff-Richard-reveals-the-secrets-of-his-eternal-youth.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/10022337/Sir-Cliff-Richard-reveals-the-secrets-of-his-eternal-youth.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=3 January 2014 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=27 April 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2008, Richard said: "John now spends most of his time looking after my properties, which means I don't have to. John and I have over time struck up a close friendship. He has also become a companion, which is great because I don't like living alone, even now."<ref name="telegraph1"/>

In an interview with [[David Frost]] in 2002, Richard said that his many good friends have prevented him from feeling lonely and he has always got someone he can talk to.<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC Breakfast with Frost interview |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/1956448.stm |work=BBC Breakfast with Frost |access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref> Richard has been a family friend of the Northern Irish broadcaster [[Gloria Hunniford]] for over fifty years. When Hunniford's daughter [[Caron Keating]] was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose to keep her illness private from the public, Richard was among a small close circle of friends who knew of Keating's condition. When Keating died in April 2004, Richard attended her funeral in Kent and performed his song "Miss You Nights" in tribute to her.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sewards |first=Lisa |title=I still think of Caron hundreds of times a day |url=http://www.lady.co.uk/people/profiles/2145-i-still-think-of-caron-hundreds-of-times-a-day |work=[[The Lady (magazine)|The Lady]] |access-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110205935/http://www.lady.co.uk/people/profiles/2145-i-still-think-of-caron-hundreds-of-times-a-day |archive-date=10 November 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Friends bid farewell to Keating |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3641065.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=10 November 2013}}</ref>

In 2006, Richard received a Portuguese Order in which he was appointed [[Order of Prince Henry|Commander of the Order of Prince Henry]] (ComIH),<ref name="cliff_henry" /> in recognition of his forty years of personal and business involvement in that country, which included investments in [[winemaking]] and a house in the [[Algarve]], where he has spent part of the year throughout the decades.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 July 2013|title=Sir Cliff Richard and Algarve wines|url=https://www.myguidealgarve.com/travel-articles/sir-cliff-richard-and-algarve-wines|access-date=31 January 2023|website=My Guide Algarve|language=en}}</ref> Richard finished No. 56 in the 2002 [[100 Greatest Britons]] list, sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public.

In his 2008 autobiography, Richard wrote that his views on certain issues are less judgemental than when he was younger.<ref>Cliff Richard with Penny Junor ''My Life, My Way'', London: Vox Rock, 2008</ref> He called on the [[Church of England]] to affirm people's commitment in [[same-sex marriage]].<ref name=indo>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/sir-cliff-speaks-frankly-about-his-companion-the-expriest-920825.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Sir Cliff speaks frankly about his 'companion' the ex-priest | first=Chris | last=Green | date=6 September 2008 | access-date=30 April 2010}}</ref> He wrote: "In the end, I believe, people are going to be judged for what they are. It seems to me that commitment is the issue, and if anyone comes to me and says: 'This is my partner – we are committed to each other,' then I don't care what their sexuality is. I'm not going to judge – I'll leave that to God."<ref name="telegraph1"/>

In 2009, the British media reported on a growing friendship between Richard and [[Cilla Black]]. ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' said that Richard and Black looked at properties together in Miami and were regularly seen together in Barbados, where they both owned villas. Richard and Black reportedly enjoyed each other's company dining together in Marbella and watching tennis in the Royal Box at [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Tim |title=Cliff Richard and Cilla Black, the 'Saga holiday couple,' spotted in Marbella |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/6062174/Cliff-Richard-and-Cilla-Black-the-Saga-holiday-couple-spotted-in-Marbella.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/6062174/Cliff-Richard-and-Cilla-Black-the-Saga-holiday-couple-spotted-in-Marbella.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=2 November 2013 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=20 August 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After Black died in August 2015, Richard described her as "incredibly gifted" and "full of heart". He said: "She was a very special person, and I have lost a very wonderful friend. I will miss her dearly."<ref>{{cite news |last=Finbow |first=Katy |title=Sir Cliff Richard pays tribute to the 'incredibly gifted' Cilla Black |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a661386/sir-cliff-richard-pays-tribute-to-the-incredibly-gifted-cilla-black.html |work=Digital Spy |date=2 August 2015}}</ref> Richard performed the song "Faithful One" in tribute to Black at her funeral in Liverpool.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cilla Black funeral: Fans and stars say farewell in Liverpool |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33991635 |access-date=4 September 2015 |work=BBC News |date=20 August 2015}}</ref>

In 2010, Richard confirmed that he is no longer a resident of the United Kingdom and had been granted citizenship by Barbados. He said: "I'm officially a non-resident [of the UK], although I will always be British and proud of it."<ref name=barbados/> He currently divides his time between living in Barbados and Portugal.<ref name="Portugal" /> When asked in February 2013 if he had regrets about not starting a family, Richard said that if he had been married with children he could not have devoted so much time to his career. He said: "My three sisters have children, and it's been wonderful to watch them grow up, get married and start families of their own. I've made sure I've always played a part in their lives. So while I think I would have been a good father, I've given myself to my family and I wouldn't have it any other way. My 'freedom' allows me to continue my career. Had I been married, with children, I wouldn't be able to do what I do now."<ref>{{cite web |last=Clarke |first=Melonie |title=…I'd have been a good father… |url=http://www.lady.co.uk/people/profiles/1830-i-d-have-been-a-good-father |work=[[The Lady (magazine)|The Lady]] |date=19 February 2013 |access-date=3 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103164614/http://www.lady.co.uk/people/profiles/1830-i-d-have-been-a-good-father |archive-date=3 January 2014 }}</ref>

===Nationwide Festival of Light===

In 1971, Richard was a leading supporter of the [[Nationwide Festival of Light]], a movement formed by British Christians who were concerned about the development of the [[permissive society]]. Richard joined public figures such as [[Malcolm Muggeridge]], [[Mary Whitehouse]] and Bishop [[Trevor Huddleston]] to demonstrate in London "for love and family life, against pornography and moral pollution". Muggeridge criticised the media as being "largely in the hands of those who for one reason or another favour the present Gadarene slide into decadence and Godlessness".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VYNQAAAAIBAJ&pg=3661,2055143&dq=rallying+for+love+and+family+life&hl=en |title=Rallying for love and family life |newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |date=12 July 1971 }}</ref>

One of the targets for the Festival of Light's campaign was the growth of sexually explicit films.<ref>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Justin T. |title=British Film Culture in the 1970s: The Boundaries of Pleasure |date=2013 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q5LQzLFWzKUC&pg=PA140|isbn=9780748640782 }}</ref> Richard was one of approximately 30,000 people who gathered at London's [[Trafalgar Square]] for a demonstration. One focus of their protest was against the Swedish sex education film ''[[Language of Love]]'', which was showing at a nearby cinema.<ref>Daniel Ekeroth, ''Swedish Sensationsfilms: A Clandestine History of Sex, Thrillers, and Kicker Cinema'', (Bazillion Points, 2011), p. 126, {{ISBN|978-0-9796163-6-5}}.</ref>

===Philanthropy===
[[File:Cliff Richard Denmark 2015 ubt.jpg|thumb|Richard [[List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards|promoting]] his wine in Denmark, 2015]]
Since March 1966, Richard has followed the practice of [[Tithe|tithing]], giving away at least one-tenth of his income to charity.<ref>{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Steve |title=Cliff Richard: The Biography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=He0S6tFOGPUC&pg=PA365 |access-date=28 September 2013 |year=2008 |publisher=Lion Publishing |location=UK |isbn=9780745939827 |page=364}}</ref> Richard has stated that two biblical principles have guided him in how to use his money. He said: "Firstly, it was the love of money (not money itself) that was the root of all evil. Secondly, to be good and responsible stewards of what was entrusted to us."<ref>{{cite web |title=Modern day philanthropists: Cliff Richard |url=http://www.besignificant.co.uk/cliffrichard.htm |publisher=besignificant.co.uk |access-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001145616/http://www.besignificant.co.uk/cliffrichard.htm |archive-date=1 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1990, Richard said: "Those of us who have something to offer have to be prepared to give all the time."<ref name=charity/>

For over forty years, Richard has been a supporter of [[Tearfund]], a Christian charity that aims to tackle poverty in many countries across the world. He has made overseas visits to see their work in Uganda, Bangladesh and Brazil. Richard has said: "Playing a part in relieving poverty is, as I see it, the responsibility of us all."<ref>{{cite web |title=Friends of Tearfund |url=http://www.tearfund.org/en/about_us/whos_who/friends_of_tearfund/ |access-date=14 February 2013 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126065824/http://www.tearfund.org/en/about_us/whos_who/friends_of_tearfund/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Richard has donated to the dementia research charity, [[Alzheimer's Research UK]]. He has helped to raise funds and awareness of the disease by speaking publicly about his mother's condition.<ref name="patrons"/>

Richard has also supported numerous UK charities over many years through the Cliff Richard Charitable Trust, both through donations and by making personal visits to schools, churches, hospitals, and homes for special needs children. Richard's passion for tennis, which was encouraged by his former girlfriend, Sue Barker, also led him in 1991 to establish the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation. The charity has encouraged thousands of primary schools in the UK to introduce the sport, with over 200,000 children taking part in the tennis sessions which tour the country. The foundation has since become part of the charitable wing of the [[Lawn Tennis Association]].<ref name="autogenerated3"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Cliff Richard – Why I'll always love Surrey |url=http://www.surreylife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/sir_cliff_richard_why_i_ll_always_love_surrey_1_1632896 |work=Surrey Life |access-date=16 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002093400/http://www.surreylife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/sir_cliff_richard_why_i_ll_always_love_surrey_1_1632896 |archive-date=2 October 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Latest tennis opportunities for you |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/tennis/give_it_a_go/newsid_3380000/3380753.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

===Scottish independence referendum===

In August 2014, Richard was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to ''[[The Guardian]]'' expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom in September's [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|referendum on that issue]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |title=Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=7 August 2014 |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref>