Denise Hall, Carole Lawrence, Jean Ward, Elizabeth Nickerson and Veronica Cottee all volunteer in St Helena Hospice’s charity shop on Dedham high street, and were invited to join in the Heroes in the Local Community celebrations at the Sun Inn.

Denise Hall, who has passionately volunteered with the St Helena shop for 10 years, said: “The King spent a lot of time with us and he shook our hands, which was very special, and then the Queen came over and we all did our little courtesy. We told them lots of facts about St Helena Hospice and she said to us that she recognises there aren’t enough hospices. She was genuinely very keen to know about what we do at the hospice.

“It was all very well organised from the parking, right up to positioning us where we needed to be to meet the King and Queen. It was very interesting to meet all the people representing their organisations and what they do to help people too.”

Elizabeth Nickerson started volunteering at the hospice shop in Dedham after her husband died, and has volunteered for 8 years. Mrs Nickerson said:

“We were all gathered around the fireplace at the pub and it was very cheerful indeed. There were lots of other people there so plenty of people to talk to and it was a lovely atmosphere. It didn’t feel nerve-wracking, even though we were some of last people the King and Queen came to. It was lovely and they were very nice people. 

“I thought it was an exceptional treat. It was a terrific spirit with people packed along the street standing in the rain for hours. There was a band and the atmosphere felt very celebratory; it was a lovely celebration.”

Veronica Cottee has volunteered for 6 years, wanting to thank the hospice for the kindness they showed to her husband when he was being cared for there. Mrs Cottee said:

"We also got to meet the King which we weren’t supposed to because he was supposed to be on the other side of the room with the other group but he came to us first and shook hands with all of us, and then the Queen arrived and we got to talk to her too." 

Commenting on the visit, Jean Ward, a former fashion boutique owner who has volunteered with the hospice shop for 12 years, said:

“It was really exciting and lovely. I think we are all honoured to have been invited, thank you very much.”

Carole Lawrence, who has volunteered for the shop for 12 years after her uncle was supported by the hospice, added:

“Everyone there was there because they do good for someone or something; the whole atmosphere was wonderful.”

Wendy Marcon, Volunteer Services Manager at St Helena, who co-ordinated with Royal officials in the weeks prior to the event, said:

“We were delighted to be asked to select a handful of our volunteers from the Dedham shop to be part of the royal visit. It has been a pleasure being involved liaising between our volunteers and the organisers.  

“Our volunteers are a key part of St Helena Hospice, particularly our retail teams, who raise vital income to support hospice services. 

“I’m so proud of our lovely volunteers who rose to the occasion and represented St Helena Hospice to the King and Queen.”