Y Services Coronation Champion
Congratulations to Maria Calway-Kennedy, Y Services For Young People’s very own Coronation Champion.
Maria is one of only 500 extraordinary volunteers in the UK to be crowned with this award. Maria has been recognised by Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort as part of the official Coronation celebrations in conjunction with Royal Voluntary Service.
Maria volunteers with Y Services For Young People and has been recognised for her contribution and crowned a Coronation Champion. This follows a call out to the nation to nominate their volunteer heroes. Almost 5000 entries were received, with nominations made for individuals aged 14 up to 103.
Maria impressed judges with her creativity, innovative ideas and commitment to Y Services For Young People. Maria inspires people to be the best that they can be and teaches and role models how staff can support young people and takes a genuine interest in every person. Many staff and volunteers have come to work for the charity because of Maria, her passion for youth work is infectious and motivating.
With the support of Her Majesty The Queen Consort, a passionate advocate of volunteering and President of Royal Voluntary Service, the Coronation Champions Awards were launched to recognise exceptional volunteers from across the country at this momentous point in history. Across the UK, 500 Champions dazzled the judging panel with the impact of their work, their inspirational stories and unwavering commitment to volunteering.
All Coronation Champions, including Maria, have been invited to attend one of the official Coronation celebrations, such as the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or a Coronation Garden Party. They will also receive a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by Their Majesties.
Maria said: “I’m thrilled to be selected as one of only 500 official Coronation Champions in the UK for my voluntary work with the charity. It’s such an honour to receive one of these special awards from the Royal Voluntary Service, and they were actually judged by Her Majesty The Queen Consort! I get a lot of satisfaction from helping children and young people, so don’t need an award, but it is nice to receive this very special one, which also includes an invite to the Coronation Concert in Windsor. I’d recommend volunteering to everyone!”.
The Coronation Champions Awards invited people across the UK to nominate their local volunteering heroes who are going the extra mile. Nominations were made across eight award categories; supporting older people; supporting young people and children; crisis and welfare; community; sports, culture, and heritage; health and care; sustainability and the environment; and animal welfare.
Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service said: “We were completely blown away by the response to the Community Champions Awards and the huge volume of amazing nominees put forward. Our judges had a tough job selecting just 500 Champions from an array of thousands of inspirational individuals, who all deserve to be recognised and commended.”
“Each of our Coronation Champions displayed a commitment and contribution that far exceeds any expectation and we’re overjoyed to honour and thank them during this exciting point in history.”
Y Services For Young People are on the look out for more volunteers, if you feel you can make a difference to young people please get in touch by emailing recruitment@yservices.co.uk
For more information about Royal Voluntary Service, please visit https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/
