The Duchess of Cambridge has penned a letter in support of Children’s Hospice Week.
Catherine, who is patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, has lent her support to the campaign, following the birth of her second child, Princess Charlotte, last week.
Children’s Hospice Week runs 11-17th May and is lead by Together for Short Lives.
Catherine’s letter read:
‘For families of children with life-limiting conditions, every moment is precious and every memory needs to be cherished and celebrated.
‘Children’s hospices strive to create happy moments in the most difficult times any family could face. I hope you will join me in supporting Children’s Hospice Week and work to make every moment count for all of our families.’
There are 49,000 children in the UK living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, and charities like EACH, and Together for Short Lives, assist these families. The Duchess took on her EACH patronage in 2012 as one of her first four, following her marriage to Prince William.
On tour in New Zealand and Australia last year, Kate visited two children’s hospice facilities, Rainbow Place Hospice, Hamilton, and Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice in Sydney, and was clearly touched by the stories of families losing their children to such conditions. The Duchess expressed her sadness and she and her husband mentioned that having a young son at the time made it all the more difficult to hear.
Together for Short Lives is asking the public to share their special memories, and them making every moment count, by using the hashtag #momentscount on social media.
Featured image: © Chloe Howard 2014