The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met a hospital’s new four-legged recruit when they visited to thank staff for their work throughout the pandemic.
William and Kate visited Lancashire today where they also met with Pastor Mick Fleming during a visit to the Church on the Street volunteers in Burnley.
The couple made friends with 10-week-old cockapoo Alfie at Clitheroe Community Hospital.
The pup, who licked William’s cheek, will be trained to support patients and colleagues at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust alongside therapy dog Jasper.
Kate described the pup as “so sweet” but, after enjoying a cuddle, added: “Our dog is going to be very upset.”
The Duchess of Cambridge meets Trudi and Alastair Barrie and their daughter Anastasia during a visit to charity, Church on the Street, in Burnley, Lancashire (Danny Lawson)
Volunteer Joanne Fairhurst with the Duchess of Cambridge, during her visit with her husband the Duke of Cambridge Danny Lawson
In Burnley the couple met with volunteers and staff to hear about their motivations for working with Church on the Street as well as a number of service users to hear about their experiences first-hand.
Since 2013, Pastor Mick's been pounding the pavements of Manchester and Burnley, bringing church to the streets.
Pastor Mick, a former drug dealer who set up Church on the Street from his base on Hammerton Street in 2019 to help the homeless and people living in some form of poverty in Burnley and surrounding area.
The Church on the Street Ministries helps and support people affected by homelessness and addiction. During the pandemic they helped to distribute food provide pastoral support and distribute medication.
The Church on the Street (COTS) team said: "Thank you to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for taking time to come and visit Church on the Street today - it is a pleasure to welcome you to COTS."
At the mission the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also meet Carole Ellis and her great grandson Deacon Glover,11, whose mother, Grace Taylor has passed away. The Church on the Street team supported Deacon after the death of his mum.
The Duchess of Cambridge The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meeting Pastor Mick Fleming during a visit to the Church on the Street
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet Carole Ellis and her great grandson Deacon Glover,11, whose mother, Grace Taylor has passed away, during a visit to charity, Church on the Street, in Burnley
At Clitheroe Community Hospita the couple met GPs, nurses, and patients.
William told staff: “We’re so grateful for all your hard work.
“I’m not sure there are enough words to say how grateful everyone is for what you have done.”
He said he had a particular affinity with staff because of his time as an air ambulance pilot.
Lisa Kay, intensive home support service clinical lead, said: “That was great to hear because it’s not every day you get a royal visit to say thank you.
“It has been a huge morale boost.”
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the Clitheroe Community Hospital
Patient Bill Taylor, 94, was asked by the royals about the care he had received at the hospital and joked: “They’re trying their best but there’s some awkward buggers.”
The retired policeman praised the hospital food, telling the couple he had a “grand” meat and potato pie for his lunch.
He said: “We all enjoy ourselves up here.
“But we’d like you to come up more often.”
He pointed out Pendle Hill, seen from the window of his ward, and told them: “The kids would enjoy it.”
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