Duchess Visits Children's Hospice near Basingstoke

29 April 2013, 07:45

The Duchess of Cambridge is spending her second wedding anniversary visiting a children's hospice

Kate will visit Naomi House Children's Hospice near Basingstoke which provides a vital service to counties across southern England - to support youngsters with life-limiting conditions. 

The Duchess has already marked Children's Hospice Week by recording her first video message, released yesterday, which appealed for support for the initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds. 

The week, which runs until Friday, is run by UK children's palliative care charity Together for Short Lives. 

In the video pregnant Kate, who is Royal Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices, said she had seen first-hand the "transformational" work done for children and their families. 

Naomi House's Deputy Chief Executive Mark Smith told Heart: "The Duchess' visit to us is incredibly important, so that the local community can really see the importance of the work that we do - but also as a real profile builder for children's hospices across the United Kingdom. 

"Everybody's really excited - the children, the families and the staff here too. We're thrilled. 

"There's been lots of preparations and different activities going on in preparation for her coming - planning out the party and planning their costumes."