Royal badge of approval for ‘unsung champions’

THE Duchess of Cornwall yesterday praised the “priceless generation” of people over the age of 60 who do voluntary work.

Camilla and her husband Prince Charles are patrons of a drive by the charity WRVS, formerly the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, to find 480 “unsung” Diamond Champions – volunteers over 60 who go the extra mile to help in their communities.

To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee the charity is calling for nominations from around the country, with 60 entries to be shortlisted from each of eight regions, including Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and different parts of England.

The winning nominees will be presented with a specially designed Diamond Champions badge, unveiled by the duchess in Brecon, Wales, this week.

They will also be given a certificate at a local celebration in early autumn. At each event ten people from each region will be selected to join the other 70 other regional champions at a royal residence later in the autumn.

Diamond Champion nominees must be over 60 and the aim is to find volunteers who make an extraordinary difference to their community by giving up their own time to help others.