Royal Watch News

Duchess of York feels 'lucky' to be healthy

May 25, 2012, 12:02 GMT

Duchess of York and Princess Beatrice

Britain's Duchess of York feels 'lucky' to be in good health after opening a Teenage Cancer Trust unit.

Sarah Ferguson and her daughter, Princess Beatrice, took a tour of Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, Surrey and spent time speaking to 'strong and selfless' patients before unveiling a plaque on the roof terrace in the state-of-the-art unit.

Following the pair's 'inspirational' visit, the duchess wrote on her twitter account: 'The patients fighting teenage cancer are so strong and selfless, they put our healthy lives into perspective. I am so lucky to have health.

'@TeenageCancer loved being at The Oak Centre, Royal Marsden, Teenage Cancer Unit in Sutton .. Beatrice and i had an inspirational visit. (sic)'

Sarah was full of praise for the 13-bed unit - which took 27 months to construct and cost £3.5 million, three year's worth of fundraising money - and the patients during the pair's visit.

She is quoted by YourLocalGuardian.co.uk as saying: 'The whole reason we are here today is for these guys.

'We are very pleased to open the Teenage Cancer Trust unit here in Sutton, thank you.'

Sarah showed the patients how to play pool at the centre - which will support 16 to 24 year olds from across Sussex, Surrey and Kent in their fight against cancer - and one sufferer, Richard Storry, said the royal pair were 'really nice, down to earth people'.

The 19 year old explained: 'They were very good sports - none of us actually knew how to play pool - we probably should have stuck with jenga.

'They are really nice, down to earth people.'