'Thank you for all you are doing': Duchess of Cambridge writes letter praising children's hospices staff

The staff and volunteers at East Anglia's Children's Hospices have been praised in a letter sent by the Duchess of Cambridge.

She is patron of the charity which runs hospices in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

In the letter, Kate said she had been "thinking of all the team at EACH at this unprecedented and hugely challenging time".

She added: "Whether working on the frontline, or behind the scenes, I know you are all doing all you can to support your children and their families who are already suffering so much."

The Duchess has been patron since 2012, opening both the Treehouse Hospice in Suffolk and The Nook Hospice in Norfolk since then.

The Cambridges are currently observing the coronavirus lockdown at Amner Hall, their home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

Kate, who is a keen amateur photographer, marked Prince Louis's birthday on Thursday, 23 April, by releasing several photos of the 2-year-old with paint-covered hands.

Responding to her letter on Twitter, EACH said: "A lovely, uplifting message from our Royal Patron to all our staff and volunteers."

Like many charities, the coronavirus outbreak has severely impacted EACH's income; they estimate they are losing around £100,000 a week.

With shops and fundraising events cancelled, they have only been able to maintain their key services, such as providing end of life care.

The Duchess' letter highlighted the importance of that care.

She wrote: "I am heartened that you are still able to provide your core services of end of life care and bereavement support.

"Thank you for all you are doing in these incredibly tough circumstances, and please look after yourselves."

Read Kate's letter in full:

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