Two recipients of this prestigious awards are key supporters of The Brain Tumour Charity; Heather Dearie and Iain McLean.
Together with Royal Voluntary Service President, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, and in partnership with The Big Jubilee Lunch, the awards are an official Jubilee project to celebrate outstanding volunteers across the country who are making a difference every day.
Heather said: “I don’t think I do anything to deserve this award but knowing the team at The Brain Tumour Charity think I do and would nominate me for the Platinum Champions Awards really means a lot.
“I was shocked to be nominated in the first place so to be shortlisted and actually receive it was such an honour and something special to treasure as a reminder of everything the Charity have done for me and how important they have been and are to me for many years now.
“Getting involved with them has made such a difference to me and I’ll be forever grateful to Viv McBeth, a community fundraising manager who sadly died from a brain tumour in 2017, for introducing me to The Charity.”
Iain said: “I was very pleased to be nominated by The Brain Tumour Charity for the Platinum Champions Award promoted by RVS in recognition of both the fundraising which has been done by many family, friends and colleagues in Duncan’s name following his sudden death from a GBM brain tumour in 2016 and also the work being done by the Scottish Steering Group of The Charity to promote awareness & research into this killer disease.
“It was humbling to then receive the award and be invited to the Party in the Palace and the lunch at the Oval with Charles & Camilla. We weren’t able to attend due to being at the wedding in Italy of one Duncan’s oldest pals from nursery school, an intensely moving occasion for us in any event.
“Whilst recognition is heart-warming it will never bring Duncan back and I am not sure how well we would have coped swapping pleasantries with the assembled royal & charity representatives alongside a host of celebrities and other truly worthy winners. Bitter sweet indeed.
“I will value my award but the Certificate and Pin will not be placed on a higher pedestal than the green bow tie as worn by the best man and groomsmen and presented to us on Duncan’s behalf by Sam the groom.”
Find out more about the Royal Voluntary Service: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
