STAFF, volunteers and patients at St Luke’s Hospice were honoured to receive a visit from the Earl of Wessex.

Prince Edward visited the Winsford hospice to celebrate its 30th birthday.

His Royal Highness spoke with patients and their families and chatted to medical staff and volunteers, as well as those responsible for raising £3.2 million needed each year to keep the hospice running.

The Earl of Wessex also unveiled a plaque commemorating three decades of dedication.

Addressing trustees, staff and volunteers, Prince Edward said: “Thank you for all the work you do, day in and day out and the huge numbers of volunteers that make it all possible. It’s fantastic what you do so please keep up the wonderful work.”

A special montage of photographs taken over the last 30 years at the hospice was unveiled in honour of the royal visit.

The images included some taken in May 1988 when the Prince and Princess of Wales officially opened the hospice.

Matron Wendy Wilson said: “We are so incredibly honoured to receive a visit from the Earl of Wessex to mark 30 years of care here at St Luke’s.

"We are very proud of the service we have provided our communities over the last three decades and to have that work recognised in this way is just wonderful.

"The visit has not only been a boost for staff at the hospice, but also for our volunteers who give up so much of their time for St Luke’s.”

Prince Edward visited the inpatient unit and chatted to nursing staff and patients.

Nancy Twiss has been receiving care for the last two weeks and met the Earl with her son Ray.

She said: “It was wonderful to meet him. He was a really, really nice gentleman. Dare I say, I’m actually glad I’m here at the hospice and have had the chance to meet him.”

The Earl also chatted to patients in day care, including 41-year-old David Sayle, his partner Suzanne Price and their one-year-old daughter Amelia.

David was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January and he and his family have received support from St Luke’s.

He said: “I was a little bit overwhelmed to meet him to be honest. I was talking to him about when I went through therapy and it was just like chatting to a normal person. He made a fuss of Amelia too. I think she enjoyed meeting him, she took it all in.” 

Civic dignitaries and special guests included Lord Lieutenant David Briggs, High Sheriff of Cheshire, Alexis Redmond and Phil Redmond, the chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Bob Rudd, chief executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council Andrew Lewis; and Eddisbury MP Antoinette Sandbach and Winsford town mayor Cllr Gina Lewis.

St Luke’s patron Rosie Spiegelberg MBE said: “Prince Edward was the icing on the cake, which he also happened to cut, to celebrate 30 years of St Luke’s.

"His visit prompted the creation of a wonderful montage of photographs from the last 30 years. Now we look forward to the next 30 years!”