The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has praised the “vital” work carried out by palliative care staff working in children’s hospices. Kate released a statement after visiting The Treehouse, part of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (EACH) where she witnessed first-hand what children with life-threatening illnesses go through. Pictures of the Duchess visiting the hospice were released on the EACH twitter feed to mark Children’s Hospice Week, (13-20 June).

The Duchess: "I have seen first-hand how vital the support of staff and volunteers can be" #childrenshospiceweek pic.twitter.com/PkVLz6vUb2 — EACH (@EACH_hospices) June 19, 2014

  Kate said: "Around the clock support is crucial for children receiving palliative care. They and their families often need help every hour of every day, both in hospices and at home. "As Patron of EACH, I have seen first-hand this remarkable and varied work and just how vital the support of staff and volunteers can be to the families of children with life limiting conditions. "It has been wonderful to see the fantastic public support for Children's Hospice Week over the last few days. Please continue supporting your local children's hospice in whatever way you can."

The Duchess: “Around the clock support is crucial for children receiving palliative care” #childrenshospiceweek pic.twitter.com/5obCduyurF — EACH (@EACH_hospices) June 19, 2014