Isle of Wight Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon paid tribute to two outstanding volunteers selected as Coronation Champions by the National Royal Voluntary Service Team.
Ruth Hollingshead and Ben Holbrook were 2 of only 500 people nationally to be recognised with this award, and will be receiving a special certificate signed by both their Majesties, as well as a specially designed, official Coronation Champions Pin in advance of the Coronation.
Sandown Green Town Volunteer Ben, from Lake, is a volunteer with Green Towns and the Carnival in Sandown, and this award recognises the difference he makes to the community he lives in.
Ben said:
"It's an honour for me, and my family, to receive this recognition and, as part of Sandown Green Town and Carnival teams, it is very much a team effort with all volunteers caring about where we live."
The Lord Lieutenant presented Ben, and members of the Sandown Green Town Volunteer Team with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2022.
Ben also helped the Earl and Countess of Wessex plant a Platinum Jubilee Rose Bush on their visit to the Bay last year.
Ruth has volunteered for Isle of Wight Society for the Blind, Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Macular Society for many years.
She has acted as Volunteer receptionist, fundraiser, befriender and Trustee but above all giving peer support, counselling and talks to a variety of groups to raise awareness.
Despite living without sight she has raised two amazing children, run marathons and completed a criminology degree and still had time to manage the administration of being a Trustee for Isle of Wight Society for the Blind.
In this role she has she delivered full courses –‘Living well with Sight Loss’ - and has been an inspiration to all who know her.
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