Kate pens heart-warming letter praising the important work of children's hospices - saying they create 'life long memories that are often filled with laughter'
- Duchess of Cambridge, 37, wrote a letter praising work of children's hospices
- Kate has been the royal patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices since 2012
- The mother-of-three said hospices create 'life long memories' that are poignant
The Duchess of Cambridge has praised the work of children's hospices in a heartwarming letter.
Kate, 37, royal patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), described hospices as places where families can create 'life long memories that are poignant, happy and often filled with laughter'.
The letter, written on monogrammed letterhead paper and signed by hand, was published on the EACH website to mark the start of Children's Hospice Week.
The Duchess of Cambridge has praised the work of children's hospices in a heartwarming letter. Pictured, at East Anglia's Children's Hospices, in Quidenham, Norwich, in 2017
The Duchess of Cambridge has been patron of EACH since 2012 and has written a number of letters supporting the charity in the years since.
The charity cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.
The royal mother-of-three has visited the hospices on a number of occasions to learn more about the work carried out.
In the letter, Kate wrote: 'Children's hospices provide vital sanctuaries for those experiencing the very toughest of times.'
She continued: 'They provide a lifeline to children and families for however long support is needed and I hope that others join me in thanking them as we shine a light on their work during Children's Hospice Week.'
Kate, 37, pictured at an engagement last week, described hospices as places where families can create 'life long memories that are poignant, happy and often filled with laughter'
Take it off shoulder like the Duchess of Cambridge in Barbara Casasola
The Duchess of Cambridge showed up to a charity gala dinner recently looking radiant as ever.
of course, Kate lit the place up as she arrived looking stunning in an off-shoulder dress by Barbara Casasola, a Brazilian-born, London-based designer.
The piece not only showed off Kate's shoulders, but the fitted stretch-jersey body highlighted her slim figure, while the mesh paneling added a sporty feel. She really vamped it up with this piece, however, the long length and pleated skirt gave it more of a regal finish expected of a Duchess.
The brand has been worn by the likes of Alicia Vikander, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Bosworth previously, and Kate had previously worn this dress back in 2016. So she must be a fan!
Sadly the dress from this spring line is now sold out, but click (right) to shop other pieces by the designer. Or head to the carousel lineup of off-shoulder numbers to the right, which will all help you copy Kate.
The letter, pictured, written on monogrammed letterhead paper and signed by hand, was published on the EACH website to mark the start of Children's Hospice Week
This year's theme for the national awareness week – organised by palliative care charity Together for Short Lives – is Moments that Matter, which hopes to challenge the preconception that children's hospices are frightening places.
The charity is sharing the stories of five families at a photography exhibition called the H-Word, where the photos on display – taken by parents – explore what the word hospice means to them.
One of the parents included in the Ipswich exhibition is Charlotte Markham, from Kesgrave, whose son Elliot died after just a few hours in 2012.
'When we went to look around The Treehouse (EACH's hospice in Ipswich) it was a totally different experience to what we expected,' she said.
The Duchess of Cambridge has been royal patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH). Pictured on a visit to EACH in Quidenham, Norfolk, in January 2017
'We were made to feel that our son Elliot mattered, his life mattered, he was important, they would care for us and him.
'Our initial perception of what EACH was from the outside was so wrong.'
Graham Butland, EACH chief executive, said: 'Children's Hospice Week is always a really important time of year for us and all children's hospices across the UK, and I hope people will once again join the duchess in championing the role they have to play.
'We're very excited to be hosting the H-Word and hope it'll go some way to addressing misconceptions in our region.'
