House rules as Prince delivers choco surprise
Duke brings cake model to hospice
Sarah Jane McDonald A magical royal visit had staff and patients feeling festive at the Ayrshire Hospice as Prince Charles delivered an early Christmas present.
The Duke of Rothesay spent the morning visiting the in- patient unit, gym, therapy room, hairdressers and day services before handing over a chocolate replica of a royal palace, which was made in Switzerland.
Dozens of patients, family, volunteers and staff met the Prince, who took a great interest in their wellbeing at the Racecourse Road facility which supports those with terminal illness, through more than 600 volunteers and 185 staff.
John Austin from Ayr was one of the first patients to shake hands with the Prince, along with his granddaughter, Prestwick Academy pupil Kirsty Clyne. He told the Post: “Prince Charles was so interested in my time at the Hospice and I was proud to tell him about my family and to introduce him to Kirsty, who was over the moon to meet him.”
The heir to the throne couldn’t resist popping his head into the craft room to shake hands with art teacher George Bell and join patients in their class to paint a sunflower on a ceramic tile.
He told the class: “I enjoy watercolour painting in my spare time – its quite fun. I started around 40 years ago. Although when I look back at my old paintings I’m horrified, I must admit, they are getting better with time.”
Sitting alongside the Prince, 75- yearold Nancy Higgins from Ayr told the Post: “It was such a lovely surprise to meet Charles and share our love of art. He was really interested in my condition and how I was finding things at the Hospice. This whole day has really got me in the mood for Christmas.”
Delivering a closing speech, a gold plaque was unveiled to mark the visit and Charles, 68, was presented with a hand- painted scarf from service- user Marion Stewart from Troon for the Duchess of Rothesay.
Marion, who was joined by her husband Iain, said: “It was so lovely to meet the Prince, he was so easy to speak with and it was a lovely feeling to give him the scarf after making it. I’m waiting for the day that I spot Camilla wearing it on her royal duties.”
Hospice retail manager Jackie Kennedy presented a wooden box full of hand- knitted toys and an alphabet mat for his grandchildren, created by the Knit and Natter group, which regularly meet at the Ayrshire Hospice Troon shop.
The Prince said: “This is a splendid hospice and having met some of you I can tell you that I’m so full of admiration for the love and care in this place.
“It clearly makes a huge difference to so many and I hope it goes from strength to strength.
“Without all of you, the staff and volunteers, it would be so difficult to run this sort of establishment and clearly it has made a huge difference to people all throughout Ayrshire.
“It is remarkable what you all manage to achieve.”
Rounding off the day, the Prince handed over the chocolate replica of Highgrove House, joking he was excited to see who was first to “do the first demolition job” before tucking into a cup of tea with staff.
Chief Executive of the Ayrshire Hospice, Mandy Yule, said: “It was a memorable opportunity for patients and families to meet the Prince Charles and I was extremely proud to share the exceptional work of the teams across our organisation.”