ROYALTY came to Warrington today, Thursday, when HRH Sophie the Countess of Wessex attended Disability Awareness Week.

The Countess visited Walton Gardens to meet volunteers and charity workers on the 20th anniversary of the event organised by Warrington Disability Partnership.

During the meeting that focused on mental health, she met with numerous partners who support the week-long catalogue of activities.

The 46-year-old former PR mogul spoke at length to staff from the Alzheimer’s Society, Change 4 Life, Halton Carers Centre, St George Healthcare, the Wellbeing Project, and sponsors the Five Boroughs Partnership. She also collected flowers from supporters.

Dave Thompson, who founded WDP 20 years ago, said: “When her royal highness accepted the invitation to join us it was a great honour.

“She engaged with everyone and it was nice to see so many of the team sharing their experiences with her.”

DAW trustee Karen Beaton said the royal visit had left everyone with a sense of pride about the awareness campaign.

She said: “You feel proud about being involved in something that has gone on for 20 years.

“It is absolutely marvellous that the Countess has visited because it shows what we have achieved.

Fellow trustee Terry Wadsworth paid testament to organisers who battled past the loss of £45,000 in funding after the Northwest Development Agency was shut down.

He said: “To get royal recognition shows all of the hard work that has gone on despite losing that money. We must be doing something right.”

Diane Terris, chief executive of Warrington Borough Council, also attended on Thursday.

“It is a really difficult time for people in the voluntary sector and everyone is having to tighten their belts,” she said.

“Even in that context everything about this event shines through.”

Warrington South MP David Mowat also commended DAW.

He said: “This is the sort of thing that should get a royal visit.

“It gives the event good recognition and the Countess coming is a reward for what the team has done.”

And Rev Pam Lovatt, who is the chaplin at the Five Boroughs-run Hollins Park, said spreading awareness focuses on the positive aspects of disability.

“There has always been a stigma especially with mental health, but the royal visit will help change that because it will encourage people to raise awareness,” she said.

“This event shows how mental health problems can be a positive thing and not something to ignore.”