Princess Royal’s visit to PKAVS centre ‘fantastic experience’ for group

CHARITY: Royal guest welcomed to Perth as she opens new memorial garden

A Perth charity celebrated a royal return yesterday when a very special guest opened its memorial garden.

PKAVS welcomed the Princess Royal to its city centre headquarters to meet staff, volunteers and service users.

It was her first visit to the site since she opened the Gateway base in North Methven Street 20 years ago.

A highlight of the trip was the opportunity to declare its new garden officially open.

The site, used by the charity’s day service clients, was set up in memory of the late Nancy Berry Ross.

Known as Betty, she set up a trust in her will which offers financial aid to local people to help them live independently in their homes for as long as possible.

Bosses at the charity say the garden is a perfect place for people to remember Betty, who enjoyed her time attending PKAVS day services.

The Princess Royal also chatted to unpaid carers of all ages and people who use the Bridging the Gap initiative, which focuses on older ethnic minority communities.

The visit was a chance for her hear how the charity’s diverse work is improving the wellbeing of people and communities throughout Perthshire.

Paul Graham, PKAVS chief executive, said: “As a long-time advocate and patron for unpaid carers, it was a privilege to be able to show the Princess Royal the life-changing work we carry out with carers young and old across Perth and Kinross.

“It was a fantastic experience for our service users of all ages to be able to meet Her Royal Highness, which was, for many of them, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The princess’s long connection with PKAVS began when she formally opened the Gateway back in 1998.

The charity helps more than 5,000 local people through its five hubs, which focus on carers, minority communities, the third sector and volunteering, and mental health and wellbeing.

It does so with a staff team of more than 70 people, supported by 100 volunteers.

Picture: Fraser Band. Young carer Kody Warner, 10, presents the princess with flowers.