The countdown is on as there’s less than a week left to nominate RSPCA volunteers for a Coronation Champion award.
In honour of the Royal Family’s service to the country, the Royal Voluntary Service has launched the Coronation Champions Awards for volunteers. The awards will celebrate extraordinary volunteers across the country who have been contributing to their communities.
Sarah Mckeon, volunteer experience partner at the RSPCA said: “The RSPCA couldn’t function without our fantastic volunteers. Every day they provide vital support to help us carry out our mission to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and alleviate the suffering of animals.
“Animal welfare is so important to people in the UK – and the high standards of welfare in this country is thanks in no small part to the volunteers who do so much for animals of all shapes and sizes.
“We would love for some of our volunteers to win a Coronation Champion award. Each and every one one of them is so deserving of recognition and if we could get them all to win awards we would! But it would be really wonderful to see a few RSPCA names up there.”
Supported by Her Majesty the Queen Consort and judged by a high-profile panel, 500 champions will be identified and receive a specially designed pin and certificate with the opportunity for some to attend events taking place to celebrate the Coronation. The awards are part of the official Coronation programme, running alongside the Big Help Out.
“This is our opportunity to shout about our unsung volunteer superstars who are a critical part of the RSPCA.” Sarah continued. “Coronation Champions will recognise the outstanding contribution of Britain’s extraordinary volunteers and will link to the Coronation themes of diversity, sustainability and service.
“The deadline for nominations is 11:59pm on Sunday 2 April, so the race is on to get those nominations in. If you know anyone aged 14 or over who volunteers for the RSPCA, or does incredible work for animals, and you would like to put them forward for an award, now is the time! Let’s get as many nominations in for our wonderful volunteers as possible.”
The call comes as the RSPCA continues to recruit new volunteers as part of the Big Help Out on 8 May – a mass volunteering initiative ahead of the Coronation of King Charles III.
Wildlife Friends calls on people to give as little or as much of their time as they can and includes a choice of simple ideas to help wildlife on the doorstep either on your own, or as part of your family or group of friends, or even the wider community.
For example, volunteers could:
Organise a litter pick
Plant wildlife-friendly plants in gardens and window boxes
Build nest boxes for wild animals
Put food out for hedgehogs or create a hedgehog highway
Get together with their neighbours to start a wildlife project
Join ‘No mow May’ and make a habitat for butterflies, bees and insects in gardens
Recreate wildlife-friendly ideas from RHS Chelsea
Join online social media groups and signpost RSPCA advice about wildlife
RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood added: “We all share our neighbourhoods with wonderful wildlife and we need to protect them. Becoming an RSPCA ‘Wildlife Friend’ is a great way to join with your community to make a safe space for the animals who share your world.
“Everyone can do their bit to help wildlife this Spring and Summer – and by working together, even more animals can be helped.
“The RSPCA’s Royal connection goes back more than 180 years, and we’re proud to be part of the Coronation celebrations and the Big Help Out.”
For more information and to nominate a volunteer, visit the Coronation Champions website here. The nomination window closes at 23:59 on 2nd April.
