New mum The Duchess of Cambridge has penned an heartfelt letter in support of Children’ Hospice Week. Kate, who gave birth to second child, Princess Charlotte, just 10 days ago, released the letter in a statement which called on people to support and donate to the cause.
Kate, who is the patron of the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), has offered her support to the charity which aims to raise awareness and fundraise for terminally ill children.
“For families of children with life-limiting conditions, every moment is precious and every memory needs to be cherished and celebrated,” her letter read, “Children’s hospices strive to create happy moments in the most difficult times any family could face.”
“I hope you will join me in supporting Children’s Hospice Week and work to make every moment count for all of our families.”
Together for Short Lives, the charity which leads the Children’s Hospice Week, has brought together all 53 children’s hospices in the UK.
But this is not the first time Kate has lent her support to such a cause. In fact, it is a cause very close to her heart.
Earlier in her pregnancy with Princess Charlotte, Kate visited a hospice in Norfolk, where she developed a bond with a young mother who had just lost her daughter, Beatrice.
The Duchess was apparently very moved by this encounter.
“Kate sought me out and gave me a hug just before she left,” said the young mother, “I was getting quite teary-eyed, she had tears in her eyes and she just said to me, ‘You’re a very brave lady and again, I’m just so, so sorry’.”
After their visit, the mother, Leigh Smith, received an emotional letter from the Duchess who again offered her condolences.
Kate also wrote another sweet letter to the grieving parents of a child she met in a Colchester Hospice.
“I was so desperately sorry to hear the devastating news about Mackenzie’s death. It was an incredible honour to have met Mackenzie when I came to The Treehouse earlier this year,” she wrote, “I was totally bowled over by his courage, his strength of spirit, and his brilliant sense of humour.”
“I will remember very fondly his love of Sponge Bob Square Pants, his gorgeous smile, which never seemed to leave his face.”
The Duchess signed her letter personally and sent along a bouquet of flowers.
To support Kate’s cause, and the Children’s Hospice Week, visit Together for Short Lives website, or support the Australian hospice that Kate is patron of, Bear Cottage.
