Will.i.am has donated £500,000 to help deprived children through the Prince's Trust.

The RnB singer and member of the Black Eyed Peas decided to make the donation, which includes some of his wages for presenting talent show The Voice, after meeting youngsters as part of one of the charity's development courses.

Following the meeting in Newham last month, Will, 37, visited Prince Charles at Clarence House to see how he could assist his charity.

The singer, who was raised by a single mother in a deprived area of Los Angeles, claimed he was inspired to put his money toward British youngsters to repay the country for accepting him.

He said: "As a judge on The Voice, the people of the UK have welcomed me into their sitting rooms week after week and I feel very much at home here.

"Working with the Prince's Trust, I am joining the mission to help transform the lives of disadvantaged young people living in underprivileged neighbourhoods in the UK.

"My donation to the trust will help these young people build skills that are vital in today's and tomorrow's job market, including technology and computer knowledge."

The musician grew up in east Los Angeles, which he describes as one of the most under served and tough neighbourhoods in America.

"My life could have worked out very differently if it were not for the support and encouragement provided by my single working mum, my uncles and my teachers who encouraged me to dream and to pursue my goal of getting into the music business."

He said his family ensured that he understood the key methods for achieving his goals - a good education and hard work.

"The Prince's Trust has a 26-year history of assisting disadvantaged youth, so I am pleased to be collaborating with an organisation that shares my mission to transform the lives of young people who need extra support and structure in their lives."

Paul Brown, director of the Prince's Trust, thanked Will.i.am for his generosity. He said: "We are absolutely delighted that Will is making this substantial gift to the Prince's Trust, which will literally transform the lives of many more young people."

The Prince's Trust was set up by Prince Charles in 1976 and has since supported more than 700,000 young people in disadvantaged circumstances, including unemployment and poor educational development.

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