As a member of Cambridge Children's Press Pack, I was invited by the communications team to help out at the first ever Cambridgeshire County Day. It was an absolute honour to be a part of such a momentous occasion, and I relished every second!  

The Press Pack was set up to bring the young person's voice into the heart of the project, through video, written articles, events and other things. It is made up of five teenagers - me, Alisha, Hannah, Macie and Olina. I am interested in the new hospital, because I have been in and out of hospital since I was born. Last year I lost my sight.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all of our previous meetings had been virtual, so the County Day also marked the Press Pack meeting in person for the first time. I remember feeling jittery with nerves and excitement as I arrived, thinking about the events that were in store for us. When the other Press Packers arrived, we all clicked, all ice immediately broken. It was lovely to meet everyone in person, and I know I’ve definitely made some friends for life.

Each Press Packer was assigned a different job. Mine was to go round the crowds, handing out flyers and leaflets about the hospital to members of the public. I found this nerve-wracking and exhilarating simultaneously, because I wanted to raise awareness of the hospital, yet it was terrifying approaching the crowd. With over 6000 people attending the County Day, it was very hard surging my way through the huge sea of faces, but, thankfully, Emma from the Cambridge Children's Hospital project was on hand to help me. I soon relaxed enough to start talking to people about the hospital!

A short while later, it was time for our stage appearance. We were supposed to be on stage at 12:30, but the previous act overran, so my nerves were nearly fit to breaking point! If that’s what my nerves were like, I can’t even begin to imagine how the other Press Packers were feeling! We’d all prepared a mini speech, which we read out. However, our stage appearance was not the biggest surprise of our day…

 

After a quick lunch, we were approached by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, asking for a live radio interview with one of the Press Packers. Having volunteered, I was whisked away for the interview. It only took a few minutes, so I was back at the marquee in plenty of time to get ready for our special visitors.

We were told the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were running late and they wouldn’t arrive until 3pm at the earliest. To stay calm, we wandered around the rest of the marquees together, but none of us could contain our excitement.

 Finally, there was silence, as everyone in the crowd noticed a group of security guards walking towards us, the Duke and Duchess in their wake. I was so used to seeing them on television, that I hadn’t anticipated how incredible it would feel at seeing them in real life. They came and shook hands, before asking each of us about how we became involved in the hospital project. Before they left, Alisha presented a posy of flowers to the Duchess, and I gave a brochure about the hospital to the Duke.  

 All too soon, the Duke and Duchess left. We gathered together, talking about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

 Once we’d managed to compose ourselves, we were invited to do another live interview on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, this time all the Press Packers together. This was lovely, because, from our individual responses, it was evident that we were united in our amazement and wonder at what had just happened.

I had an absolutely phenomenal day. I felt very privileged to have helped out at such an important event, because we were able to raise awareness of the hospital to future generations.

 The first ever Cambridgeshire County Day was a complete whirlwind, beginning with new friendships and ending with a Royal visit. It’s not something I’ll forget in a hurry!

Some of the Press Pack reflected afterwards on the Royal visit and what it meant to them.