HRH The Princess Royal visited Strathcarron Hospice on Tuesday, meeting in-patients as well as staff and key supporters.
In Strathcarron’s 42-year history the royal visitor has graced the hospice 37 times since its first birthday in 1982.
This year, the feeling was celebratory, as it was the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that face masks were not worn.
Strathcarron CEO Irene McKie said: “We all look forward to our annual visit from HRH The Princess Royal.
“It is a special date in Strathcarron Hospice’s diary and there is always a great atmosphere in the hospice in the days running up to her arrival. It is fantastic that she can devote so much of her time to be with us.
“Each patient will receive a printed photo of their meeting with her. We know these become treasured family mementos of a lovely day.”
Those specially chosen to attend included members of the hospice’s retail and Compassionate Communities teams.
David Rennie and Fiona Hannah from Strathcarron’s retail team and Hannah Gray of the Compassionate Communities team met with the princess to present the storyboard of the opening of the charity’s biggest ever retail unit.
More than three times larger than the current store it replaced in Stenhousemuir, the new premises includes a public living room. The introduction of this new space in Strathcarron’s Stenhousemuir store is to facilitate community connections.
A warm and welcoming area, it is available to the public during the opening hours of the shop. Funded by the Falkirk Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, it is an opportunity to sit and relax and have a free coffee and a blether.
The Princess Royal also enjoyed a tour of the latest extension to the hospice, meeting with the design team from Fleming Builders, DMA Partnership, Clancy Consultancy, KKE Architects and JMP Group to view the spacious, new and improved extension.
Strathcarron Hospice has been caring for patients and their families from across all local communities for over four decades.
Although the charity has made improvements over the years, the new facilities and space will enable the hospice to continue to deliver better service and care for patients.
The plans include a welcome upgrade to the staff changing area, as well as a new consultants’ room, a large meeting room, and a kitchen. It will make a huge difference to staff and patients alike, creating more space for patients and their families. The new building is expected to be complete by early autumn.
The princess was also introduced to individuals and representatives of organisations who have supported the hospice throughout the past year.
A spokesperson said: “Levin and Annemarie Beattie are great advocates for the hospice. They have raised £54,000 since 2018 in memory of Kevin’s mum who was supported by Strathcarron. Gordon and Sam Russell have raised £30,000 since 2018 through challenges and multiple volunteer collections for us.
“Denise Laird, Gillian Winters and Lynn Jarvie are a group of friends who together have taken on several overseas challenges, 10k and virtual challenges and fundraised for the hospice.”
