what is a Platinum Champion?
Platinum champions is an award that recognizes the outstanding contribution of volunteers across the UK
the platinum champion award is set up in honor of the Royal Voluntary Service patron, HRH the Duchess of Cornwell, Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth the 2nd for her platinum jubilee which is to celebrate her 70 years of service to our country the event was in partnership with The Big jubilee lunch
There were thousands of people aged 16 to 101 who were nominated and 490 platinum champions which being handpicked by a judging panel
The judging panel included: HRH, The Duchess of Cornwall (President of Judges), Catherine Johnstone CBE (Chair of Judges), CEO of Royal Voluntary Service, Dr Eddy Hogg, University of Kent (Adjudicator) Ade Adepitan MBE TV presenter, Paralympic medalist & journalist, Jenny Betteridge Strategic lead for volunteering of Sport England, Blondel Cluff CBE Chair- National Community Lottery Fund, Brain Dow, CEO of Mental Health Uk, Clara Govier- managing director of people postcode lottery, Alex Jones- TV presenter & broadcast partner, Gethin Jones- Tv Presenter & Broadcast Partner, Felicity Kendal CBE- Actress & Royal Voluntary Service Ambassador, Myleene Klass-TV & radio Presenter, Elaine Paige OBE- actress, singer, producer, radio presenter & royal voluntary service ambassador, Amanda Pritchard- CEO of NHS England, Jane Rawnsley- Group Head of corporate social responsibility, M&G, Julie Siddiqi MBE- Founder & Director, Together we thrive, Peter Stewart- Board Director, Eden Project & The big lunch
all Platinum champions received a specially designed pin and a signed certificate from HRH The Duchess of Cornwell. The 70 most outstanding volunteers were invited to celebrate at a special edition of the big jubilee lunch at the Oval during the jubilee weekend and the party at the palace.
the categories for this amazing award are:
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
Find out more about the award and the Royal Voluntary Service by visiting royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Peter saying what it feels like being a winner and thanking all the organisations he volunteered and served for
Peter got nominated by Jenna Bishop with the support of Craig Aubrey find out why Jenna nominated peter here (Link be here soon)
So why are we writing this blog to let you know all about the weekend and Peter's thoughts
on Monday the 16th of May Craig forward me an email from the Royal Voluntary Service to say that your nomination for a champion has been chosen but in addition to being a platinum champion was picked as one of the 70 who got invited to the party of the palace in London on 4th June and tickets for me and a guest for the Eden Project's Big Jubilee Lunch in London on Sunday 5th June
the hardest part was not telling people about this achievement as it was confidential till the evening of 3rd June 2022
I got very excited and ask a few people to go with me and Jenna said she would go with me so then we started looking for our accommodation where we ended up booking The Viking Hotel which is in Stratford, London and booked the Megabus from Meadowhall to victoria coach station for the Friday and returns for the Sunday,
We both plan what outfits to take and on Friday morning Peter had a hot towel shave for the first time ever to make sure he was looking his best.
At around 11 am Ant, Jenna's Partner picked Peter up and went back to Jenna's and then grab some junk for the coach trip then drop us off at Meadowhall
We sat on the coach but sadly the coach was not a normal Megabus so we were not sat next to each other as we paid for but we still was closed enough to talk but couldn't do the work we wanted to but we had a nice talk about plans and ideas to help develop hope. We arrived in London at about 4.30 pm then we went to the underground and found our way to Strafford station then got a taxi to our hotel
Peter and Jenna arriving in Stratford
Arriving at the "Viking Hot" Viking Hotel
We unpacked then had a walk around and then decided to have Domino's for tea then went back to the hotel and had a hot chocolate and called Our partners and announce the news to the volunteer team, where we got lots of positivity messages, Then set the alarm for the morning
We then walk up at 6 am before the alarm had showers and went down for some lovely breakfast then did a bit of paperwork and nip to the shop for some bits then got ready
So after getting ready and looking smart then we got the bus down to the station where we then met up with Peter friend from JCI UK Chantelle who then took us for dinner at Pasta Remoli which was very tasty
Jenna, Peter, and Chantelle
Peter lovely Food
After having a good catch up it was soon for us to catch the underground to go to the party at the palace we arrived at the area we need to be for our entrance but then google maps ended up taking us about an hour the wrong way so we jump in a taxi then walked up the long path then join the large queue to get into the party, which really went down pretty quick, while in the queue we met some other winners and sharing stories and then we got through security and then we were outside Buckingham palace
Arrived at the Party
We found our seats and then grab some food and drink and look at our reusable water bottles and listened to the entertainment which include lots of big names
It was amazing to be in the middle of the biggest celebration of Peter's lifetime for such a wonderful Queen who has served our country all her life and 70 years as the head of state as well as being the head of the commonwealth, Peter is proud to serve the community for 20 years so far and hope to be many more years. It was an honor to be able to attend this incredible event and party late into the evening and to cheer for the Queen was just the best.
It was great to know I got nominated to attend so an amazing event for my service to the community
But i enjoyed all the singers and performers but my favorite bit of all was the drones
Then we headed back to the hotel after Jenna lost her phone but manage to get it back, we got back to the hotel at about 1 am so we had a shower then had a hot chocolate then set the alarm for 7 am
so on a Sunday morning, we woke up got ready, and then got a uber to the oval cricket group for 9 am then went through security then headed to the balance where we met the flower people and had a nice cup of tea
Then we went to the big Lunch on the field where we meet with HRH the Prince of Wales and HRH the Duchess of Cornwell and enjoyed the celebrate
So we had a great time networking and finding out about some of the other winners and guests and then we headed inside to have a buffy and to be given our pins and certificate
Then we did a cheer for all volunteers which you can see at https://www.facebook.com/royalvoluntaryservice/
also, Peter had a photo with Catherine Johnstone CBE, CEO of The Royal Voluntary Service
Then we headed back home and both took a few days off to rest for our own wellbeing
On the 6th of June, I contacted Barnsley Chronicle who took my story and came and took a photo at the carers garden which was printed on 10th June (Please see the article below) Aswell as Ann from the Barnsley Youth Choir who is also another winner from Barnsley
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