Fergie's charity visit

Nov 15, 2006, 13:40 GMT

Britain's Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, visited a children's hospital in Texas on Monday (13.11.06).

The royal talked and played with the young cancer and encephalitis - meaning an inflammation of the brain - patients at the Cook Children's Medical Centre in Fort Worth.

Sarah's visit helped promote the World Children's Day at McDonalds, an annual global fundraiser benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The flame-haired duchess - the ex-wife of Prince Andrew - was received warmly by the excited children, who brought her flowers and drawings.

Sarah - who has two teenage daughters Princesses Beatrice, 18 and 16-year-old Eugenie - appeared especially taken with a two-year-old boy called Brian, who she presented with a ladybird toy.

The duchess told her friend: "Nice to see you, I came all the way from England."

During her visit Sarah - who has been involved with the Ronald McDonald House Charities for several years - stressed that much of the organisation's work focuses on helping families of ill children build a sense of union.

She said: "I'm very serious about what a hug from a parent can do for a child who is very ill."

Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief met the royal at the hospital to commend her on her valuable charity work.

He said: "Many of the children don't fully understand who the duchess is, but they understand her smile."

(C) BANG Media International