Yahoo News Kate Middleton: Duchess Makes Video Appeal
The Duchess of Cambridge has given her first ever video message to appeal for support for a campaign for children's hospices.
In the message, aired for the first time today, the Duchess urges people to support Children's Hospice Week.
The campaign, which runs until Friday, is run by UK children's palliative care charity Together for Short Lives .
In the video, which lasts just under two minutes, pregnant Kate, who is Royal Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), says she has seen first-hand the "transformational" work done for children and their families.
Wearing a black dress with a white Peter Pan collar, she says: "As Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices I have been fortunate to see at first hand the remarkable work that they do for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families. It is simply transformational.
"There are 49 children's hospice services across the UK, all providing similar invaluable and life-enhancing care to thousands of families.
"Children's Hospice Week is a time to recognise, celebrate and support the inspirational work of those hospices, and those who provide palliative care to these children and families.
"Children's hospices provide lifelines to families at a time of unimaginable pain. The support they give is vital.
Children's Hospice Week culminates with "Superhero Friday" - a special day of hero-inspired fundraising.
Barbara Gelb, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, welcomed the Duchess of Cambridge's support.
She said: "I know this extraordinary backing will mean so much to all the UK's 49,000 children with palliative care needs and their families and will really help raise awareness of what these families need, today and in the future.
EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, providing care and support wherever families wish - in their own homes, in hospital or at one of its hospices.
It is just one of several charities of which Kate is a patron, and the video includes clips of her on visits to its hospices.
Chief executive Graham Butland said: "The Duchess of Cambridge in her role as Royal Patron has brought great benefits to EACH.
"Her Royal Highness's involvement helps us to celebrate and raise awareness of the care and support we provide to life-threatened children and their families across East Anglia.
"To have our work recognised in this way has also given a great boost to the families we support, as well as our staff, supporters and volunteers."
