Duchess Catherine was seen tearing up after a fundraising event for a children’s hospice.
Duchess Catherine was seen tearing up after a fundraising event for a children’s hospice.
The Duchess, 33, attended an event at Norfolk Showground in the English countryside at an event for East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH) – the charity of which she is patron. The Duchess is aiming to help them meet their fundraising target of £10million in order to build a new children’s hospice.
Catherine, who is now four months pregnant with her second child, was particularly moved by the story of one mother –Leigh, who had written to the Duchess about her late baby Beatrice, whom she sadly lost at just three months of age to a rare heart condition.
Leigh said that she received a personal written reply from Catherine, who then especially sought her out at the event – where she embraced her in a compassionate hug.
“Kate sought me out and gave me a hug just before she left,” said Leigh. “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.'”
Leigh’s baby Beatrice spent her last days at Quidenham hospice – which is one of the oldest children’s hospices in the UK and is urgently seeking funds for an upgrade.
Addressing the crowds at the event, Duchess Catherine said: “I have been fortunate to meet with a number of families receiving services from EACH.
“Hearing how much EACH’s support means to them reminds me what a wonderful organisation it is. I am enormously proud to be their patron.”
“As one of the oldest children’s hospices in the UK, Quidenham has been a home-from-home to many families for more than 20 years.”
“It is incredibly exciting that EACH are now looking to upgrade these facilities to provide children and families in Norfolk with even better care in a purpose-built environment: a 21st century hospice for 21st century care.”
Click through the gallery to see Duchess Catherine at the fundraising event where she met with families who have been personally affected and touched by the loss of a child.