The Royal Voluntary Service has recognised 500 volunteers with a Coronation Champion Award, including nine volunteers from Girlguiding, as part of King Charles III coronation celebrations.
The awards celebrate outstanding volunteer work taking place across the country, and were judged by a panel of specialists in volunteering, academics, charity leaders and celebrities – including Dame Judi Dench, Elaine Paige and Nadiya Hussain.
Recipients of the award include: Sheila Young, county commissioner for Renfrewshire, Wales; Laura Cottey, chief commissioner for southwest England; Enid Waterfall, county ambassador for Clwyd County, Wales; Sally Smith, Brentwood North district commissioner; Rachel Curwen, unit leader in Timperley; Maria Calway-Kennedy, Rainbow and Guide leader in Hampshire; Fiona Coverdale, Somerset North County administrator; Mary Zoeller, Epsom division commissioner, and Julie Mutton-Hughes, Brownie leader in Kent.
All of the volunteers were invited to attend one of the official coronation events, such as the Winsor Castle coronation concert.
One recipient, Sheila Young, said: “I was surprised and delighted to receive the Coronation Champion Award for Girlguiding. It is magical to see girls grow through being part of our organisation and to realise that I have played some small part in their transition.”
Tracy Foster, Girlguiding's chief guide, added: "I am delighted that so many of our amazing volunteers have been recognised and awarded as Coronation Champions. Volunteers are at the very heart of Girlguiding, without their time and dedication guiding wouldn’t be possible.”
The King’s coronation celebration, which took place over 6 and 7 May, were supported in London by more than 170 young people and 30 staff from the National Citizen Service (NCS).
The NCS volunteers gave directions to those looking to watch the coronation and view the coronation concert on screens provided across central London. A select group 50 young people were also invited to a private screening of the coronation ceremony in St Margaret's church.
Mark Gifford, NCS Trust chief executive, said: “We are so thrilled to be involved in such a historic event, and to offer this volunteering opportunity to the young people we support. Volunteering is a great way to support young people to become world ready and work ready and having that opportunity at such a momentous occasion is a great privilege.”
