Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Got you covered Your Dryness..
WILLS’ BROLLY GOOD ULSTER VISIT:
PRINCE William highlighted the work of a mental health charity and the emergency services during a visit yesterday.
William’s afternoon took in the Inspire charity and later saw him observe search and rescue training on the River Lagan in Belfast.
The Duchess of Cambridge, who is pregnant with the couple’s third child, did not join her husband.
During his visit to the Inspire social enterprise he met mental health counsellors and service users before officially opening the charity’s new offices.
He was presented with two paintings by celebrated children’s illustrator Oliver Jeffers – one for Prince George and the other for Princess Charlotte.
Mr Jeffers’ brother Rory, the artistic director of the best-selling picture books, said: “Someone with his presence taking such an interest really raises the value.”
One of those the Duke spoke to was former Manchester United player Pat Mcgibbon, whose brother Philip took his own life in 1993, also spoke to the prince.
Mr Mcgibbon, who now runs a football programme in Co Armagh aimed at building mental resilience through team sport, said: “He was very personable and it was great for him to give up that time and interact with the adults and kids.”
The Duke also chatted with pupils from Our Lady and St Patrick’s College in Belfast. They have developed a student-led project to help raise awareness about mental health issues within the school community.
Year 13 student Niamh Mallaghan, 16, said: “I was very nervous but he was interested in what we were doing and seemed just chilled about it all. He was asking us questions and he really wanted to know how we were improving mental health in our school and reducing the stigma.”
After his visit to Inspire, William travelled to the historic Titanic Quarter to see the work of Lagan Search and Rescue lifeboat service.
The Duke watched a live demonstration of a rescue mission in the harbour, which included the deployment of a lifeboat, a quayside response and rescue swimmers.
He then met a number of the volunteers and heard about their experience of setting up the service.
One of the helicopters from the recently-established Northern Ireland Air Ambulance service was parked alongside the harbour.
Last night William was due to attend a private dinner for the Irish Guards Association.