CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER IN TOPONICA, NIS AND KULINA

Belgrade, 28 April 2006 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II visited Gornja Toponica, Nis and Kulina (Municipality of Aleksinac) today. During the visit to Nis County accompanied by the great friend of The Royal Family Dr Elaine Laycock from London, Crown Prince delivered humanitarian and medical help provided by HRH Crown Princess Foundation.

The Crown Prince first visited Special Psychiatric Hospital in Gornja Toponica, where humanitarian delivery of food and shoes for the patients of this institution took place. On this occasion The Crown Prince met with Dr Milan Stanojkovic Hospital Director, Dr Vladan Arandjelovic and His Grace Bishop of Nis Irinej.

The visit of the county continued in Clinical Centre of Nis, where The Crown Prince delivered to the Children Hospital a donation of medical equipment provided thanks to the NICU project (Project for Neonatal Intensive Care Units of the Medical Centres in Serbia), under the auspices of Serbian Government. On this occasion HRH Crown Prince Alexander II expressed a great pleasure that there was an opportunity to “be again in Paediatric Hospital with Dr. Laycock, who is meritorious for the first visit to the Clinical Centre of Nis that took place six years ago, and to deliver the worthy medical donation provided at the donors dinner in Athens in January.”

“Hospitals in Serbia urgently need modern medical equipment. If you have friends or relatives anywhere in the world tell them about everything our doctors need in order to be able to perform their duties with success. We are heading to the EU but what we need to do is unite and give our best – said The Crown Prince addressing the media present.

Afterwards The Crown Prince and the guest of Their Royal Highnesses visited the institution for the children hindered in development “Mara” in Nis, where they were welcomed by the representatives of all the political parties participating in work of the Local Authorities. Handing the gifts provided by HRH Crown Princess Foundation, The Crown Prince said:

“Spending time with children is the most beautiful part of our lives, and we try to protect and take care about children of ours. Children should build their future because that way they are also building our future. I am here to tell you that we have not forgotten you and that you are always in hearts and thoughts of my wife Princess Katherine and mine”.

In the second part of the all-day visit to Nis County, The Crown Prince visited a Home for the Children and Youth hindered in mental development in Kulina, where in presence of a large number of distinguished guests and invitees an official opening of the new object within the Home took place.

Finally His Royal Highness and Dr Laycock paid a visit to the elementary school “Aca Sinadinovic” which have received a donation worth 25 000 Euros from the respected guest of The Royal Family in order to improve the conditions of life of the youngest.