Entries for Queen Consort Camilla’s Coronation Champions Awards smash all expectations as 5,000 volunteer heroes are nominated – double the expected figure
- The Coronation Champions Awards is celebrating volunteers across Britian
- A total of 500 champions will be awarded a special pin and certificate
Entries for the Queen Consort’s Coronation Champions Awards – backed by the Daily Mail – have smashed expectations.
By the time the awards closed on Sunday almost 5,000 unsung volunteer heroes had been nominated – double the anticipated figure – with a significant number directly entered by Mail readers.
The Coronation Champions Awards, organised by the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), is celebrating those incredible people who give up their own time to help others at an historical moment for the nation.
The King and his wife, Camilla, were personally keen for their Coronation celebrations in May to be used an opportunity recognise and reward those that go the extra mile in their communities.
A total of 500 Coronation Champion will be awarded a specially-designed pin and a certificate signed jointly signed by the King and Queen Consort.
(File Photo) The King and Queen Consort are keen for their Coronation celebrations in May to be used an opportunity recognise and reward those that go the extra mile in their communities
A total of 500 Coronation Champion will be awarded a specially-designed pin (pictured) and a certificate signed jointly signed by the King and Queen Consort
They will also be given tickets to either the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on May 7 or garden party at Buckingham Palace as part of their once-in-a-lifetime prize.
Dr Eddie Hogg, senior lecturer in social policy at the University of Kent, will now embark on the unenviable task of whittling down the entries – each and every one of them deserving of recognition – before the 500 winners are agreed by a judging panel later this month.
There are eight categories: older people and dementia support, young people and children, crisis and welfare, community, mental health and companionship, physical health and disability, NHS and social care, sustainability the environment.
RVS chief executive Catherine Johnstone said of the 4,872 entries: ‘We’ve heard from remarkable volunteers from all backgrounds, from all over the UK, and from a range of causes.
‘Reading all your stories has been truly heart-warming. It will undoubtedly be a difficult decision for the judges to select only 500 volunteers to be named our nation’s Coronation Champions.’
A host of celebrities including Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench and West End musical star Elaine Paige have already backed the campaign.
Spice Girl Melanie Brown, also known as Scary Spice, also voiced her support, saying: ‘I know that some don’t even think of themselves as ‘volunteers’ because they’re so passionate about making a difference – but that’s all the more reason for us to recognise and thank them.’
GP and TV presenter Dr Zoe Williams added: ‘From the people who donate their time to support the NHS, to those doing the shopping for their elderly neighbour, every volunteer is a hero… they deserve to be celebrated.’
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