LEUCHIE House is preparing to roll out the red carpet to welcome HRH The Princess Royal this summer, to join in delayed celebrations to mark the charity’s 10th birthday.

The royal visitor will meet staff, guests and supporters during a visit to the respite centre, near North Berwick, on Monday, July 4.

Covid-19 restrictions prevented Leuchie from properly celebrating its 10th anniversary as an independent charity on the same date in 2021, with an online event organised instead.

READ MORE: Princess Anne pays a virtual visit to Leuchie House

But with restrictions having been lifted, an event can go ahead – with Princess Anne, who is patron of the Leuchie Forever Fund, as the guest of honour.

The event will also be attended by Sir Hew Dalrymple, Deputy Lieutenant of East Lothian, and whose family built and have owned Leuchie House since the 18th century.

Mark Bevan, Leuchie’s CEO, said: “The work of HRH, the Princess Royal is well known. At Leuchie, we are honoured to enjoy frequent visits by HRH, who always has words of encouragement and advice, as well as time to spend with Leuchie guests, carers and volunteers, whose every effort she recognises.

“We are particularly pleased that HRH is able to visit in person this year, following our last engagement with her by Zoom during the worst of the Covid pandemic.

"This visit will belatedly celebrate a decade of Leuchie giving service to people across Scotland as an independent charity, as well as being a significant local employer.”

READ MORE: Princess Anne makes special visit to Leuchie House

Leuchie House is Scotland’s only dedicated respite centre delivering individualised respite breaks for people living with the effects of a range of neurological conditions, and essential breaks for carers.

The visit comes at an exciting time for Leuchie, as the charity has been shortlisted for two awards at the 2022 Scottish Charity Awards in June – Campaign of the Year for The Big Hare Trail and Digital Citizen for work in enabling technology.

The charity has also taken ownership of Denis Duncan House, an accessible self-catering holiday cottage in Dirleton.

Mr Bevan added: “We will be discussing with HRH and supporters our ambitions to do more, for more people and extending our service to work beyond the walls of our beautiful house and grounds in the year to come.”