Royal tribute to victims' helpers

The Princess Royal paid tribute to volunteers

HRH the Princess Royal has paid tribute to the volunteers who help victims of crime in Northern Ireland.

Princess Anne, on a one-day visit to the province, was guest of honour at a celebration in Hillsborough marking the 25 years of Victim Support.

She met victims and volunteers who gave up their time to help people.

"Fundamentally it is about the services the volunteers offer, and that is what is so important to those that have been affected by crime," she said.

She said she hoped the event would be a celebration of what had been achieved - but would also provide the basis for the way ahead.

Later the Princess Royal inaugurated a new health and care centre at the Holywood Arches, in east Belfast.

The new facility is the first in the UK to offer a full range of community based health and social care services along with a number of clinics traditionally only provided in hospitals.

In her final engagement HRH visited YouthAction Northern Ireland, at Hampton House in east Belfast to help celebrate the contribution the organisation has made to the lives of young people in Northern Ireland for over 60 years.