In honour of their Patron, Her Majesty The Queen and the great example she has set in her 70 years of service, Royal Voluntary Service launched the Platinum Champions Awards for volunteers.
Together with Royal Voluntary Service President, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, and in partnership with The Big Jubilee Lunch, the awards were an official Jubilee project to celebrate outstanding volunteers across the country who make a difference every day.
"The Platinum Champions Awards, launched by Royal Voluntary Service in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s 70 years of service, have given us the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contribution of all volunteers, who truly are the backbone of our country.
Congratulations to all our Platinum Champions – and my heartfelt thanks to you and to the millions of volunteers across the UK who give their time and talents so generously.”
Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall
Thousands of people aged from 16 to 101 from all over the UK and supporting a range of causes were nominated and from these nominations, 490 volunteers have been hand-picked by a judging panel presided over by The Duchess of Cornwall, and crowned Platinum Champions.
All 490 Platinum Champions received a specially designed pin and a signed certificate from HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. The 70 most outstanding volunteers were also invited to celebrate at a special edition of The Big Jubilee Lunch at The Oval during the Jubilee weekend.
Lots of charities got the opportunity to nominate their volunteers - Samaritans, those working with dementia, suicide prevention to mention a few. Naturally, with a wealth of amazing volunteers to choose from, our Lead Volunteer Worker, Sarah Nunn, made some nominations and we were thrilled when we heard that long serving volunteers Lorie Lain-Rogers and Martin Bull were chosen for the most outstanding volunteers group!
Lorie, who when adding up her various roles, has totalled a whopping 50 years of volunteering was given a seat at the Palace Party and invited to the Oval lunch. Take a look at her pictures below...
Massive congratulations to Lorie and Martin, whose support of The Matthew Project over the years has been phenomenal. We are all truly grateful