A charity in Stockport welcomed a royal visitor on Wednesday 15 May. 

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh visited the Seashell Trust in Cheadle, taking a tour of the charity. HRH unveiled a plaque, met with students, broke ground for a new building, and even took a trip on an adapted bicycle!

The Seashell Trust provides care and education to children and adults with complex learning difficulties. 

The Duchess started her visit at Seashell's state-of-the-art residential accommodation, along with Sir Normal Stoller, who donated the lead gift for the construction of the houses. 

Her Royal Highness then watched some of the students having fun on the adapted accessibility bikes and cycle track - the duchess even tried out a cycle for herself! 

HRH tries out an adapted bicycle during her visit to the Seashell Trust! (Image - Seashell Trust)

Also on the day, HRH cut the first sod for building work on a new building for the Royal College Manchester. This college, run by Seashell, provides special education for young adults aged 19 to 25 years. Currently college students are using another building on site, but although this has been adapted over the years it still can't meet the needs of all Seashell's students.

The new college will represent a landmark improvement, then. Seashell is trying to raise £10m to help build the college, and is already over halfway there, having raised £5.7m thus far. 

Last on the list for the Duchess was to formally open The Moulding Foundation Building with a new plaque. The building will be the new home of Royal School Manchester, and opened to students and staff last year. 

HRH unveils a new plaque to formally open the Moulding Foundation Building at the Seashell Trust (Image - Seashell Trust)

After watching a music session and meeting some of the performers in the school hall, the Duchess was presented with some gifts, before concluding the visit. 

Seashell CEO Brandon Leigh said: "It was a delight to host The Duchess of Edinburgh and for her to see the amazing facilities we have here for our students.

"We're very proud of what we've been able to achieve at Seashell, and where we are taking the organisation in future.

"Young people with the most complex disabilities and communication difficulties come to us from across the UK.

HRH also enjoyed a music session during her visit, and got to meet the performers afterwards (Image - Seashell Trust)

"They deserve the very best and that's what we're able to provide, thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

"This event has not only made their day – it's made their year!"

Students rounded off the day with a garden party after the Duchess had left. Wednesday 15th will surely be a day to remember in Seashell and Stockport history. 

To find out more about Seashell, or to make a donation to the new buildings, visit https://www.seashelltrust.org.uk/.

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