‘Inspirational’ Dr Graham Petrie, founding patron of Centre 33, dies
Dr Graham Petrie, founding patron of the charity Centre 33, has died at the age of 90.
On July 29, the charity – which has found itself in greater demand of late due to the pandemic – tweeted: “Very sad that our founding patron Dr Graham Petrie has died. An absolute champion for young people’s right to get support on their own terms. We are forever indebted.”
Dr Graham Petrie was a retired psychiatrist and Cambridge GP. His interest in the mental health issues of students led him to re-train as a psychiatrist. He then worked at Fulbourn Hospital, specialising in the treatment of adolescents.
Centre 33, which has five hubs across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – and which supports young people up to the age of 25 who have all manner of practical and emotional needs – is this year celebrating 40 years of active service in the region.
Dr Petrie was instrumental in setting up Centre 33 in 1981, securing the Clarendon Street hub, which remains open and central to the support that the charity offers young people in the city today.
Along with fellow founding patron Maggie Hunter, he helped to develop an ethos of free, confidential and self-referral support for young people. He subsequently worked for the charity as a supervisor and was also on the board of trustees.
Dr Petrie’s firm belief that young people deserve to get support on their own terms is something that Centre 33 has carried forward, and his commitment will continue to inspire the work they do for young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Kate Rees, Centre 33’s director of services, said: “It was an absolute pleasure at our 40th celebration earlier this year to share Dr Petrie’s experience of those early years at Centre 33 and to see how his vision holds true today. He was an inspirational and much admired patron, whose legacy lives on at Centre 33.”
Find out more about the work carried out by Centre 33 at centre33.org.uk.
Dr Petrie’s family has also set up a fundraising page for Centre 33 in his memory, which can be viewed at justgiving.com/fundraising/grahampetrie.
Read more:
Fulbourn to get 72-bed care home on site of social club
