Princess Beatrice, patron of the Huddersfield-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, planted a time capsule to mark its 10th anniversary.

At the event the Princess met some of the families Forget Me Not currently supports as well as staff, volunteers and supporters.

The Princess, who is expecting her first child in the autumn, thanked all those whose hard work and commitment had enabled the hospice – Russell House – to be built and helped hundreds of children and families get the care and support they needed.

“In the last 10 years, the charity has supported over 800 families,” she said. “I am simply lost for words as to the difference that this support has made to so many lives.

“I’m immensely proud to have been the patron for Forget Me Not for the last 10 years. When people ask me why I became patron of this amazing charity, I only have to explain how much of an important part of the community Russell House and the charity has become.

“And how much of a momentous achievement it is for us to be stood here today celebrating 10 years of supporting that community.”

The time capsule, planted in the garden of Russell House, was full of mementoes from 2021, including a handprint of one of the children, a letter from one of the mums Forget Me Not is currently supporting, photos of Russell House, some entries from this year’s art competition and a handwritten letter from the Princess herself.

Gareth Pierce, director at Forget Me Not, said: “Our hope is that one day in the future when this time capsule is discovered, people will get an intriguing taste of what has been a unique year for Forget Me Not.

“It was unique because of the pandemic, of course, but also unprecedented because of the opportunity our 10-year celebrations have given us to reflect on how far we’ve come, how many families have found sanctuary here at Russell House and the difference our support has made to those families. And to recognise how none of this would have been possible without the support of our local communities.”

To mark the anniversary of when the charity received the keys to the newly-built Russell House in October, Forget Me Not is asking supporters to join in the celebrations by throwing their own big 10th birthday bash.

To find out more and to order a party pack, please visit www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk/partypack