Huntingdon volunteer at Buckingham Palace garden party

Kimberly Lavery was awarded BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s volunteer of the year award at a Make a Difference award ceremony last September, in recognition of a decade of voluntary work in the local community.

Following the award win, Miss Lavery was then nominated to receive an invitation to His Majesty’s summer garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 8.

She said “It was a complete surprise and shock to be nominated for this award and then to go on and win with such incredible other nominees was truly humbling.

"When the BBC called me to tell me they were now sending me to Buckingham Palace I was stunned. I was pleased to be able to take a guest with me, which was my eldest son Daniel, he has volunteered on numerous projects with me since his early teens so I thought it would be lovely for him to experience this special day too. 

"It was wonderful to see the King, Queen, Princess Royal, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester at the event and most special to see His Majesty looking so well, in light of his current cancer treatment. He truly is at home and happy amongst the public." 

The pair enjoyed a tour of the palace gardens, some refreshments by the lake and performances from two military bands.

"We also met Brigadier Tim Seal TD VR DL, HM vice lord-lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, and the former High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire Dr Bharat N Khetani and were able to talk about the day and why we had been nominated to attend the event. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon with beautiful weather to accompany the day," said Kimberly.

 Brigadier Tim Seal TD VR DL, HM vice Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire and the former High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire Dr Bharat N Khetani with Kimberly and Daniel. (Image: Kimberly Lavery)