Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Gloucester visited LOROS on Wednesday afternoon to officially open a new extension, which has been christened the ‘Willow Wing’.

The duchess walked around the whole facility, speaking to staff and volunteers from each department and meeting patients, before unveiling a plaque to mark the opening of the extension.

In use since October 2009, the new development has provided more and larger single rooms, with bigger bathrooms, flat screen TVs and other improved facilities.

Having previously visited LOROS in 2000, the special guest was delighted with how the hospice has “evolved” and “developed” since then and equally pleased to make an appearance in the charity’s 25th anniversary year.

“I have very happy memories of my first visit here. It’s been so lovely to see everything and to meet so many members of staff and volunteers.”

Her Royal Highness was joined by LOROS President, Lady Jennifer Gretton and Matron, Chris Faulkner on her tour of the building. She was later introduced to LOROS Chief Executive Simon Proffitt and various local VIP’s and dignitaries, including Lord Mayor, Councillor Roger Blackmore.

The Duchess also took time out to speak with LOROS Patrons, including snooker star Mark Selby and Leicester City legend Alan Birchenall MBE.

Mark Selby also brought his Masters trophy along and took time out to meet with staff and patients, sign autographs and have his photo taken.

Mark’s father David was cared for at LOROS before he died in 1999 and the ‘Jester from Leicester’ revealed how much attending these events means to him.

“Just to be a patron is obviously very important to me. My dad passed away when I was 16 and for the last few weeks of his life he was in LOROS. Obviously, it’s close to my heart and when I was asked to be a patron I more or less snapped their hands off. If I wasn’t a patron then I probably wouldn’t get the chance to come to days like this and it’s very special to me to be invited.

“They do some great work here and there are differences between coming here to the Royal Infirmary. It’s a lot more modern and there seems to be a lot more people looking after one individual person.

“I’ve got a lot of good memories and obviously a lot of bad memories of LOROS because my father was so poorly. They kept him alive a lot longer than he probably was meant to be so I obviously respect and appreciate everything they’ve done for me.”

The current Masters champion is looking forward to the upcoming World Championships. Despite a tough draw against former Champion Ken Doherty, Mark is gunning for glory at The Crucible.

“I’m going to Beijing in China at the end of the month and as soon as I come back I’ve got about two weeks to prepare for the World Championships. I’m really looking forward to it, the same as every year, and hopefully this year will be my year.

“It’s quite a tough draw, but with the quality of players coming through, there was never going to be an easy draw. It might have been better to get some of the younger lads who are coming through and making their debuts than getting somebody like Ken, who’s been there and done it before. It’s going to be a tough draw, but if you want to go and win it, you have to beat them all anyway.”

Mark’s beloved Leicester City were also represented at the event by Club Ambassador Alan Birchenall. ‘Birch’, who has been involved with the charity for decades, is proud to be a patron of LOROS and is delighted with the recent improvements to the facilities.

“It’s an honour to be here and see the Duchess of Gloucester officially unveil the new wing. We came a few months ago with Nigel (Pearson) and the chairman (Milan Mandaric) to look at the new wing. It’s very impressive and this just seals it, unveiling it today.

“I first came along representing the club 25 years ago and saw the first brick being laid. To see it like this all those years on is great. To be a patron and also to still be associated with Leicester City Football Club is fantastic. I know what a fantastic job they do here and words can’t describe it.”

LOROS is the official charity for Leicester City this season and manager Nigel Pearson and his first team squad are set to visit Groby Road on Friday.

“All the boys will be here on Friday to visit the staff and the patients. We’ve arranged for all the first-team squad and the backroom staff to come down. There will be between 30 and 40 players, backroom staff and management here to have a look around. I think it’s only right that they come along to see what goes on.

“We’ve supported LOROS this year. They’ve been our official charity and what a wonderful place it is. It’s not a place of doom and gloom. When you come here it just lifts you. Every time I come here on a visit, it just energises me and also makes you realise how lucky you are.”