Liverpool, Merseyside -- (SBWire) -- 03/23/2012 --In the lead-up to the Duchess of Cambridge’s first royal visit to Liverpool on the 14th February, which will be her second public engagement without her husband, the Duchess announced that she has become the patron of four charities. She has accepted honorary positions with Action on Addiction, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, the Art Room and the National Portrait Gallery. Kate will also become a volunteer in the Scout Association. A source from Gateway Merseyside, a local sales and marketing company said, “The royal family has a long history of charity patronages, and it drives millions of pounds to the charity sector.”

“The duchess has chosen to support organizations that complement the charitable work already undertaken by her husband,” said St. James’s Palace, and added that the choices reflected her interests in the arts, promotion of outdoor activity and supporting people in need of all ages. Kate will make private and public visits across the UK to her new organisations over the coming months. She is already a patron of the charitable foundation William founded with his brother Prince Harry, but these are her first external patronages. “It’s a positive step for the future queen,” said our source from Gateway Merseyside, “It will really help to raise the profile of these good causes on the national stage.”

The Art Room uses art therapy to help children with issues like low self-esteem and Asperger’s syndrome, at centres in Oxford and London. The charity’s founder Juli Beattie said, “We're absolutely delighted, we're overwhelmed and thrilled.”This is just fantastic; it will raise the profile of the charity and get people to see the work we are doing.”

Grant Clemence, whose daughter died soon after being born from a rare heart condition, was supported by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) in her final days. In November, Kate visited EACH and met Grant and his wife Charlotte. “The Duchess showed genuine interest to all the families and staff she met and it really will be a great boost for EACH,” Mr. Clemence said.

Gateway Merseyside commented that the patronages will be a great boost to the public profile of the Duchess, adding, “The Duchess is already cementing her position as an inspirational role model.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16411358