Duchess Kate made her first public visit to patronage East Anglia's Children's Hospices this morning to formally open the Treehouse Hospice in Ipswich. The Palace revealed Kate said 'I am deeply moved by the work of this organisation. I feel deeply moved to be involved'.
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EACH cares for children and young people with life threatening illnesses. Support is provided for families in the home or in the hospices.
'Recognised by the Duchess as a leader in their field, EACH developed a care pathway so parents can take their baby from hospital to home or go to a hospice when they need end of life care. They also run a 24/8 symptom support and advice service for children with life threatening illnesses and complex health needs'.
In March 2010 EACH launched their first major capital appeal to raise £3 million to build a new children's hospice in Ipswich. On Friday 4th March 2011 this target was achieved. The Treehouse hospice will allow staff to provide end of life and short break care, provide dedicated rooms for music therapy, hydrotherapy and play, allow families privacy and offer a peaceful environment. You can view the progression from site to building here.
In honour of the opening, EACH have opened a page where one can leave a message and donate to commemorate the occasion. I spent quite some time researching the work EACH do, their determination and hard work is truly inspiring. I am delighted Kate chose to support this worthy charity. In order to continue providing this essential service EACH needs to raise £4.8 million from public donations annually. If you wish to support the charity or donate in honour of Kate's visit please Click Here. You can also visit the Online Shop.
Kate first speech was flawless. Naturally she looked a little nervous but delivered her words with calmness and sincerity. The speech was several weeks in the planning and completely written by Kate herself. Sky's Paul Harrison described it as a 'careful and flawless delivery'. I thought mentioning she wished William was there was a lovely touch. You can watch the speech here, here and here. What did you think of Kate's first address?
The speech in full.
"First of all, I'd like to say thank you. Thank you for not only accepting me as your patron but thank you also for inviting me here today. You have all made me feel so welcome and I feel hugely honoured to be here to see this wonderful centre. I am only sorry that William can't be here today; he would love it here. A view if his - that I share - is that through teamwork, so much can be achieved. What you have all achieved here is extraordinary.
You as a community have built the Treehouse; a group of people who have made every effort to help and support each other. When I first visited the hospice in Milton, I had a pre-conceived idea as to what to expect. Far from being a clinical, depressing place for sick children, it was a home. Most importantly, it was a family home, a happy place of stability, support and care. It was a place of fun. Today I have seen again that the Treehouse is all about family and fun. For many this is a home from home, a lifeline, enabling families to live as normally as possible, during a precious period of time.
What you do is inspirational, it is a shining example of the support and the care that is delivered, not just here, but in the children's hospice movement at large, up and down the country. The feelings you inspire - feelings of love and hope - offer a chance to families to live a life they never thought could be possible. So thank you again for inviting me here today. I feel enormously proud to be part of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and to see the wonderful life changing work you do. Thank you"
After the speech Kate planted a tree to commemorate the opening of the Treehouse.
Duchess Kate wore the electric blue, double breasted, long sleeved £139 Reiss Trina dress. Unfortunately it is not available on the Reiss site as it is a past season piece from A/W 2008. Interestingly Carole Middleton was photographed wearing the dress at ascot in June 2010 (With thanks to Samantha) The Palace said the dress is Kate's and she lent it to Carole.. Notably Diana also wore blue when she made her first speech.
Kate wore the Jane Corbett fascinator Carole is wearing above to the wedding of Nicolas Van Custem.
Kate accessorised with her diamond cross pendant, Tiffany diamonds by the yard bracelet and Diana's oval sapphire earrings which looked lovely with her dress and of course her engagement ring.
Kate is also wearing the EACH bracelet as shown above. It is available for £7. (With thanks to British Royals)
Sources ( EACH, Heart Suffolk, Daylife, Daily Mail)
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