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In early 2023, nominations were sought for a total of 500 volunteers to be chosen as Coronation Champions. Those selected would receive a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a signed certificate from Her Majesty The Queen Consort. |
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Read all about the awards here, and view the full list here, with my name on page 13.
You can see my invite to the Royal Garden Party below.
Scroll down to see the pictures taken on the 9th May at the Royal Garden Party
Below the letter received informing me of my award and the certificate signed by the King and Queen.
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Read about the visit in this article published online with The Argus on 15th May here. It was also published as an article in the newspaper on the 16th May too, see right, and by Sussex World on the 10th May here. All my images taken at the garden party are below, click each to enlarge. |
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| Jean Cooper and I outside the Palace gates. | Me in the gardens of the Palace. | Jean and I in the gardens. |
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| Palace gardens. | The Royal party arrive. | Palace gardens. |
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| William, Prince of Wales. | William, Prince of Wales. | William, Prince of Wales. |
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| Catherine, Princess of Wales. | Catherine, Princess of Wales. | Catherine, Princess of Wales. |
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| Edward, Duke of Edinburgh. | Edward, Duke of Edinburgh. | Edward, Duke of Edinburgh. |
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| Duke of Gloucester with Catherine in the background. | Duchess of Gloucester. | Duke & Duchess of Gloucester. |
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| The Princess Royal. | Catherine and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. | The Princess Royal. |
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| Jean & Geoff in the garden. | Afternoon Tea. | Geoff with Coronation Certificate and pin badge. |
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| Me enjoying afternoon tea. | The afternoon tea menu. | Jean and her afternoon apple juice and cakes. |
Below right, the outfit chosen to visit the Palace on the 9th May!
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I was contacted by BBC Radio Sussex and was live in the studio on the Breakfast Show on Wednesday 3rd May talking about my award. See me in studio with Mike Buxton below. Click here to listen to the 15 minute interview. A feature about two winners in the same road, Barbara Mine and myself was featured online with Sussex Exclusive on 4th May, click image to left to read. The Argus featured an article about local winners in the Brighton area which included a piece about me too. It also appeared online here as well. |
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On 28th April I featured on the front page of Sussex Express (left) and again on page 14.
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Click each image below to read. On 26th April Sussex World Newspapers, below left, published an article about my success. On 27th April Seaford Town Council, below centre, acknowledged my award by posting an article on their website. Macmillan Cancer Support, below right, followed suit on 28th April too. I was notified on 25th April that I had been selected as one of the 500 Champions and I had been chosen to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace on the 9th May 2023. |
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You can read all about my services to the community here. I have given many hours between 2012 and 2023 to Macmillan Cancer Support, organising, recruiting gardens, risk assessing, maintaining trail web site, marketing & publicising annual event, £109K raised to date. Likewise I have volunteered for the National Garden Scheme since 2010, opening my garden (£31K raised to date) and fulfilling role as Publicity Officer and Asst County Organiser. Additionally a further £21k has been raised for other charities. I have demonstrated a proven track record, at work and now in retirement of being passionate and committed to everything I engage with. I am a self-starter, single-handedly creating 2 garden trails for Macmillan and Seaford Mayor, engaging fully with the community to support charities. |
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In 2018, the Mayor of Seaford awarded me the Don Mabey Award, recognition given to one person in the town each year who has made a significant difference with the citation saying it is for services to the community.
In 2020, Chairman of NGS awarded me the Chairman's Award formy exceptional contribution as a volunteer for going that extra mile.
In 2022, Lynda Thomas,CEO at Macmillan, said we are inspired by your energy and drive in organising annual event. We appreciate the huge amount of publicity and interest you have created, which has helped to raise crucial awareness of the charity and the work we do. All of us at Macmillan are truly grateful for your unwavering support and commitment over the past 12 years. We simply wouldn't be able to do whatever it takes for people living with cancer without your support. Garden Visitor: You have become a part of so many people's lives giving so much happiness. You are a very special person.
You can read all about the King's Royal Garden Party by clicking here.