Royal Patron HRH The Princess Royal attends MND Association’s Northern Ireland Conference

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Attendees of the MND Association’s Northern Ireland Conference were surprised with a special visit from the charity’s Royal Patron HRH The Princess Royal.  

Her Royal Highness received a warm welcome from people affected by motor neurone disease (MND), MND Association volunteers, healthcare professionals and charity representatives gathered at Dunsilly Hotel, Country Antrim, Belfast on Friday (12 April).  

After meeting with guests, The Princess Royal gave a speech which included a special thank you to all volunteers at the Northern Ireland branch of the Association for their unwavering commitment to supporting local people with MND. HRH The Princess Royal has been Royal Patron of the MND Association since 2008. 

The Northern Ireland Conference kicked off a new series of face-to-face ‘Regional Roadshow’ events organised by the Association. They offer an opportunity for members of the MND community to come together as peers, hear from the Association’s leadership team and Board of Trustees, and get involved in shaping the Association’s future priorities.  

Further roadshows will be held across Wales and England throughout 2024.  

Chief Executive of the MND Association, Tanya Curry, greeted The Princess Royal on arrival and introduced her to attendees. She said: “Today has been an unforgettable start to our new series of bespoke Roadshow events. Having the opportunity to come together to have face-to-face discussions with the MND community about the Association’s future priorities in Northern Ireland has been invaluable and insightful, and being joined by our dedicated Royal Patron, HRH The Princess Royal was an incredible honour.” 

Northern Ireland Branch Chairman Stephen Thompson said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen as the first location for these new events for the Association. It has been fantastic to have had the opportunity for the MND community in Northern Ireland to hear from the Executive Leadership Team and learn more about the future direction of the Association.” 

Also in attendance were His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, David McCorkell; Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, Mayor Mid and East Antrim Borough Council; Patricia Berry, Sheriff, County Antrim; Valerie Watts, Chief Executive, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Paul Girvan MP.