Going Duch!

Pupils from St. Matthew's School - including flag-waving Sophie Norman (10) greeted the duchess

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

The Duchess of Gloucester was greeted by enthusiastic schoolchildren yesterday as she helped Dr Kershaw’s Hospice to mark its 25th anniversary.

The Duchess was greeted by children from schools heavily involved in fund-raising, including St Joseph’s Primary School in Shaw, St Matthew’s Primary School in Chadderton and North Chadderton Academy.

The academy alone has raised over £10,000 for the hospice, much of which has been used to develop the hospice garden, in which a 25th anniversary commemorative stone unveiled by the duchess will now sit.

The duchess was greeted by Oldham Mayor, Councillor Fida Hussain and Mayoress Tanvir Hussain before meeting patients in the day centre and inpatient wards.

Crompton House CE Secondary School band struck up the music as the duchess afterwards met hospice chairman Colin Smith, and volunteers, staff, directors and friends.

Unveiling the commemmorative stone, the duchess told onlookers “I’d like to congratulate everyone who has been involved in creating this wonderful place, and thank you for giving me a lovely time.

“It takes the staff, volunteers and community to have a hospice so greatly appreciated in the area and I wish everyone here good luck for the next 25 years and many more.”

A number of Dr Kershaw’s volunteers expressed their delight at the Royal visit and their pleasure at working at the hospice.

Driver Derek Birtles said: “I think the royal family do a wonderful job and we need them for the country. We need them for publicity for events like this and places just like Dr Kershaw’s.