HRH The Princess Royal praises ‘magic’ of Leuchie
HRH The Princess Royal has praised National Respite Centre Leuchie House for the “magic” it provides to guests and carers as she made a memorable visit to mark the charity’s 11th birthday.
This week, The Princess visited North Berwick to see for herself some of the innovative developments that have taken place in the past couple of years, including the introduction of enabling technology, the refurbishment of bedrooms, and the installation of a new lift in the central stairway of the 18th century building to give guests greater independence.
Her Royal Highness was greeted at the door by Lord-Lieutenant of East Lothian Roderick Urquhart, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant and Leuchie estate owner Sir Hew Dalrymple, Sophie Tulloch (chair of the Leuchie Forever Fund), and Leuchie House CEO Mark Bevan, while piper Sam Thomas, 14, from North Berwick High School, provided a warm Scottish welcome.
HRH was then given a tour of the House, where she met and chatted with Leuchie Patron Gavin Hastings, members of the Leuchie team, and guests and carers who have been enjoying a break with us. The Princess Royal was shown a beautiful exhibition of paintings by local artist Ali Blevins, which has lit up the Aviemore Lounge this summer, and attended the presentation of an Outstanding Service Award to our Head of Care Emma Jenson, in recognition of 15 years’ nursing at Leuchie.
HRH was given a demonstration of some of the latest enabling technology available by one of our guests Barbara Dalziel in a SMART bedroom in the Lower Ground Floor – and later performed the official opening of that special part of our building by unveiling a commemorative plaque. She also met architect Sandy Ford who – along with Managing Director of Zest Building Services Iain McNeill – have helped introduce some major improvements to the building over the past couple of years.
After signing our visitors’ book and receiving gifts and a posy of flowers, The Princess Royal headed to a marquee outside to meet supporters, volunteers, staff, and trustees of the charity and the Leuchie Forever Fund, culminating in speeches from Mr Bevan, the charity’s founding chair Sir David Tweedie, Sophie Tulloch, and HRH herself.
Mr Bevan said: “The visit was a marvellous occasion, and we sincerely thank HRH for her time and continued support for Leuchie.”
