Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Gloucester visited LOROS on Wednesday 17th March 2010 to officially open the new Willow Wing extension.

The Duchess had a tour around the Hospice, speaking to staff and volunteers from each department and meeting patients, before unveiling a plaque to mark the opening of the wing.

Following her previous visit in 2000, the special guest was delighted with how LOROS has “evolved” and “developed” since then and was equally pleased to make an appearance in our 25th anniversary year.

"I have very happy memories of my first visit here. It's been so lovely to see everything and to meet so many members of staff and volunteers.” Her Royal Highness was joined by LOROS President, Lady Jennifer Gretton and Matron, Chris Faulkner on her tour of the building. She was later introduced to Chief Executive Simon Proffitt and various local VIP’s and dignitaries, including Lord Mayor, Councillor Roger Blackmore.

The Duchess also took time out to speak with LOROS Patrons, including snooker star Mark Selby and Leicester City legend Alan Birchenall MBE.

Mark Selby also brought his Masters trophy along and took time out to meet the staff and patients, sign autographs and have his photo taken. Mark’s father David was cared for at LOROS before he died in 1999 and the ‘Jester from Leicester’ revealed how much attending these events means to him. “Just to be a Patron is obviously very important to me. My Dad passed away when I was 16 and for the last few weeks of his life he was in LOROS. Obviously, it’s close to my heart and when I was asked to be a Patron I more or less snapped their hands off. If I wasn’t a Patron then I probably wouldn’t get the chance to come to days like this and it’s very special to me to be invited. They do some great work her.”

Leicester City were also represented at the event by Club Ambassador Alan Birchenall. ‘Birch’, who has been involved with the charity for decades, is proud to be a Patron of LOROS and delighted with the recent improvements to the facilities. “It’s an honour to be here and see the Duchess of Gloucester officially unveil the new wing. We came a few months ago with Nigel (Pearson) and the chairman (Milan Mandaric) to look at the new wing. It’s very impressive and this just seals it, unveiling it today. “I first came along representing the club 25 years ago and saw the first brick being laid. To see it like this all those years on is great. To be a Patron and also to still be associated with Leicester City Football Club is fantastic. I know what a fantastic job they do here and words can’t describe it.”

LOROS is the official charity for Leicester City this season and manager Nigel Pearson and his first team squad are set to visit Groby Road on Friday. “We’ve supported LOROS this year. They’ve been our official charity and what a wonderful place it is. It’s not a place of doom and gloom. When you come here it just lifts you. Every time I come here on a visit, it just energises me and also makes you realise how lucky you are.”