The FINANCIAL -- The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is to visit Alder Hey Children’s Hospital meeting staff, volunteers and families.

During the visit, tomorrow, the Duchess will visit Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation free of charge for parents and carers of critically ill children, including those suffering from cancer, heart conditions, neuro-medical conditions or in hospital because of serious accidents.

According to The University of Liverpool, since opening in 1993 with 26 bedrooms, the house has expanded twice and now offers accommodation to 84 families each night. The Duchess will be shown the facilities and meet families, volunteers and staff before officially opening one of the apartments.

The Duchess will also be given a tour of Alder Hey’s Intra-Operative MRI Scanner – opened by Prince William in 2010 – which enables scans to be carried out in the operating theatre during surgery. She will go on to visit the hospital’s Oncology Unit and the Burns Unit.

The Duchess will also visit ‘The Brink’, an alcohol-free bar in the city centre, which is linked to the charity, Action on Addition, of which she is patron.

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