Stars come out to support Coronation Champions Awards

The exciting new awards launched by Royal Voluntary Service and Her Majesty The Queen Consort, have attracted the attention of big names including Dame Judi Dench, Mel B, Felicity Kendal, Elaine Paige, Sam Ryder, Nadiya Hussain, Alex Jones, Gethin Jones, Tasha Ghouri, Dr Zoe Williams and Tom Read Wilson.

The Coronation Champions Awards are an exciting opportunity to celebrate the nation’s outstanding volunteers. Royal Voluntary Service, Her Majesty The Queen Consort, and the awards’ celebrity ambassadors are encouraging people to nominate volunteers aged 14 and over who are making a difference, for this special coronation year award.

There are eight award categories a volunteer can be nominated in, including:

• Supporting older people
• Supporting young people and children
• Crisis and welfare
• Community, supported by Sky through its Sky Cares programme
• Sports, culture, and heritage;
• Health and care, supported by Simplyhealth
• Sustainability and the environment
• Animal welfare, supported by Petplan.

500 volunteers will be named Coronation Champions and will receive a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by Their Majesties, along with an invite to attend one of the official Coronation celebrations, such as the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or a Coronation Garden Party.

Sharing her support for the awards is acting icon, Dame Judi Dench, who has hailed the awards and the ‘marvellous’ work of volunteers.

“The upcoming Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will be a joyous moment in our nation’s history. The Coronation Champions Awards are not only a fitting tribute to Their Majesties’ own public service, but they are also a superb opportunity to pause and show our appreciation for the people who are achieving marvellous things through volunteering.”

Dame Judi Dench, Coronation Champions Awards supporter

Spice Girl Mel B praises the passionate volunteers going out of their way to make a difference.

“Through my work in raising awareness of domestic abuse, I’ve seen that there are amazing people out there offering their time, support and help  to survivors and people in crisis. So many of them are survivors themselves, which is incredible. I know that some don’t even think of themselves as ‘volunteers’ because they’re so passionate about making a difference - but that’s all the more reason for us to recognise and thank them.”

Melanie Brown MBE, Women’s Aid Patron and Coronations Champions Awards Ambassador

Royal Voluntary Service ambassador, Felicity Kendal, has shared her support for the awards and ‘treasured’ volunteers.

“In my role as a Royal Voluntary Service Ambassador, my heart has been warmed time and again by the graciousness of volunteers.

“I’m also especially happy to see an award category for ‘Sports, Culture and Heritage’, as the work that volunteers do in these fields is immeasurable. Volunteers are treasured in the theatre community, and I would love nothing more than for some of them to be honoured with such a special accolade.”

Felicity Kendal CBE, Coronation Champions Awards Ambassador

Having met volunteers in her role as an ambassador for Royal Voluntary service, Elaine Paige is keen to see them recognised.

“I’m so excited to be supporting the Coronation Champions Awards to celebrate inspiring volunteers. As a Royal Voluntary Service ambassador, I’ve seen first-hand just how invaluable volunteers are in our communities and I’m looking forward to applauding their great work.”

Elaine Paige, Coronation Champion Awards Ambassador

Another celebrity singing praise for volunteers is Eurovision sensation, Sam Ryder.

“I love that there is an award category celebrating volunteers who are supporting culture and heritage in this year’s Coronation Champions Awards. It should be widely celebrated how much they do throughout the music industry. There are volunteers in charities that support people through music and help to encourage and connect, who are really special.

“It would be wicked to see some of the volunteers supporting others through music named as Coronation Champions, so get nominating!”

Sam Ryder, Coronation Champions Award Ambassador

Television chef and Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain is backing the awards sharing her excitement to celebrate volunteers.

“The Coronation Champions Awards are a wonderful way to celebrate volunteers who generously give their time to help others. Recognising the positive contribution that volunteers have on our society is so important and I can’t wait to hear the lovely stories from volunteers across the UK.”

Nadiya Hussain, Coronation Champions Awards Ambassador

BBC’s The One Show and Morning Live presenters, Alex Jones and Gethin Jones sat on the judging panel for last year’s Platinum Champions Awards for Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee, and have stepped forward once again to help recognise remarkable volunteers.

 “Last year I was so moved to hear the amazing stories of volunteers during the Platinum Champions Awards, which is why I am so happy to be back for the Coronation Champions Awards and can’t wait to celebrate more heroes in our communities.”

The One Show’s Alex Jones, Coronation Champions Awards Ambassador

“I’m very excited to be supporting the Coronation Champions Awards, I had a brilliant time last year judging your Platinum Champions nominations and hearing the truly heart-warming stories from our nation’s volunteers. This year, the Morning Live family are once again looking forward to hearing all the amazing ways volunteers are making a difference, and celebrating their extraordinary efforts.”

Morning Live’s Gethin Jones, Coronation Champions Awards Ambassador

Fellow TV star, Love Island’s first-ever deaf contestant, Tasha Ghouri has backed the awards, sharing her gratitude to volunteers and encouraging all to get involved.

 “Volunteers are humbly working away in our communities every day. They do so much to help people’s health and wellbeing and they don’t expect anything in return. But the Coronation Champions Awards are our chance to shine the spotlight on them and show our gratitude. Nominating someone is a great way to let them know that you see what they are doing, and that you appreciate them.”.

Tasha Ghouri, Coronation Champions Award Ambassador

GP and Media Medic, Dr Zoe is also backing the awards, spotlighting the selfless efforts of those who volunteer to support the NHS.

“Volunteers can make a huge difference to the health, happiness and wellbeing of our communities. From the people who donate their time to support the NHS, to those doing the shopping for their elderly neighbour, every volunteer is a hero. So get your nominations in for the volunteers in your life, they deserve to be celebrated for everything they do!”

Dr Zoe Williams, Coronation Champions Awards Ambassador

Telly favourite, Tom Read Wilson was also a judge for last year’s Platinum Champions Awards, and is once again lending his support.

“Whilst working with Royal Voluntary Service I have had the pleasure of hearing some of the most awe-inspiring volunteering stories, and I know that there are still thousands more stories to be told. In this year’s Coronation Champions Awards the judges are especially eager to hear about the rising stars in volunteering, the young people who are already bringing their passion and energy to supporting their communities and creating change. So, if somebody brilliant is springing to mind whilst reading this, be sure to nominate them."

Tom Read Wilson, Coronation Champions Awards Ambassador       

Nominations for the Coronation Champions Awards will close on Sunday 2 April. Visit our webpage to nominate a volunteer for the Coronation Champions Awards.

Volunteering will be a key part of the Coronation celebrations. Those feeling inspired to try volunteering are encouraged to take part in The Big Help Out, a day dedicated to volunteering, on Monday 8th May. Organised by Together Coalition, Royal Voluntary Service, Scouts, and other leading organisations, the day is another official Coronation project aiming to encourage newcomers to volunteering, bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation weekend.

For further information