Duchess Kate Boosts Hospice Recognition

13 September 2012, 17:04

The East Anglian Children’s Hospice (EACH) has been telling Heart it has seen a ‘huge boost’ in recognition since Kate Middleton became royal patron earlier this year.

The charity – which provides care to children with life-threatening illnesses, said having the Duchess of Cambridge as a patron has had massive benefits.

Kate Middleton became the Royal Patron in January this year after visiting a hospice in Cambridge. 

Simon Hempsall, head of marketing and communications said:

“Its difficult to measure it financially as we still rely on voluntary income for the majority of the funds we receive. 

“But it’s a huge boost to the awareness of children’s palliative care. Not just across East Anglia but across the UK as well.

“It was the patron everybody was after and thankfully she chose EACH.”

Today the Duchess made her first official speech on foreign soil as she joined Prince William on a trip to Malaysia.

She made a touching speech from a hospice in Kuala Lumpur where she highlighted the importance of providing palliative care for children.

"With effective palliative care lives can be transformed. Treatment, support, care and advice can provide a lifeline to families at a time of great need:” she said

"Providing children and their families with a place of support, care and enhancement at a time of great need is simply life changing."

The Malaysian hospice, Hospis Malaysia, has recently been in contact with EACH to help share experiences and to build on providing a continued high level of support.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in Malaysia as they continue the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations with a nine-day tour across East-Asia.