This morning in beautiful Governors Bay, Dame Cindy attended the Cholmondeley Children's Centre's 100th birthday celebration. Hugh Heber Cholmondeley gifted the land and original Cholmondeley House to the children of the Banks Peninsula area in 1925 in memory of his late wife Margaret. The current, purpose-built centre opened in 2015, and offers respite care to tamariki aged 5-12 in times of family stress or crisis.
As Her Excellency remarked in her speech: 'This extraordinary achievement stands testament, not only to the generous and deeply caring vision of Hugh Heber Cholmondeley, but also to all of the staff, supporters, and volunteers who have worked to uphold that vision over this past century.'
You can find more images from the celebration via the image gallery for the centenary celebration for the Cholmondeley Children's Centre, and read Dame Cindy's full speech via Her Excellency's speech for the centenary celebration for the Cholmondeley Children's Centre.