Wandsworth volunteers named Coronation Champions

Four local community stalwarts have been named Coronation Champions

Almost five thousand people were nominated by the public for the honour, with 500 chosen. They will be awarded a special pin and a certificate signed by the King and Queen and will get tickets to either the Coronation concert at Windsor Castle or a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

The Coronation Champions Awards were launched to recognise exceptional voluntary service from individuals around the country. They were supported by Her Majesty the Queen Consort, a passionate advocate of volunteering and President of Royal Voluntary Service.

Two nominations made by the Mayor of Wandsworth were successful:

Seema Khan (below) is a lead volunteer at Care4Calais, a charity that works with refugees in the UK, France and Belgium, and also supports refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Wandsworth.

Magda Harvey leads the Polish White Eagle Club, a Polish community centre in Balham that has recently worked to help people affected by the war in Ukraine through its White Eagle Appeal.

Other local people to be named Coronation champions are:

Honorary Alderman Jane Cooper. A former three-times mayor of Wandsworth, Jane has been recognised for her charity work and for raising thousands of pounds for good causes.

Jill Hedgecock, who also volunteers for the White Eagle Club Appeal helping to supply vital humanitarian aid to Ukraine, as well as other local charities.

The Mayor of Wandsworth Jeremy Ambache said: “I’m delighted that my nominations for Seema and Magda were successful and I would like to congratulate all the local people whose tireless work has been recognised by Her Majesty and the Royal Voluntary Service.

“Our community is strong because so many people give their time to help others. Thank you to all our volunteers who do so much to help members of our community as well as refugees and other people in need.”

Find out more about the Coronation Champions.

Find out more about street parties and community events in Wandsworth over the Coronation weekend.