Visit by royal patron - HRH The Countess of Wessex
Her Royal Highness, the Countess of Wessex, visited Disability Initiative on Wednesday 2nd November 2011.
HRH met and chatted individually with all the clients who attend DI on a Wednesday and heard about their many activities and achievements.
In addition, The Countess was updated on the challenges facing the charity, and the impact on its clients, in today’s economic climate. Of particular note, was how the charity needed to rely on its volunteers who help the clients in their chosen activities and without whom DI would find offering such a broad range very difficult. The Chief Executive highlighted the partnership between DI and BAM Nuttall and how their staff volunteered to support with activities on a weekly basis as part of their firm’s corporate social responsibility. Both DI and BAM Nuttall volunteers were individually introduced to HRH when she thanked them all for their sterling work and commitment to DI.
Rounding off the visit, The Countess thanked Derek Thomas who recently retired as Chairman after 15 years of dedication to the charity and she warmly welcomed Tony Mallard as DI’s newly appointed Chairman.
Lucy Brown, Chief Executive of Disability Initiative commented on the visit, “We are always delighted to receive Her Royal Highness and she is extremely knowledgeable about DI and the challenges it faces. HRH always inspires and supports us and never fails to give us all a boost. Our clients, staff and volunteers thoroughly enjoyed being introduced to Her Royal Highness and, without exception, all said it was a truly special experience.”