3 November 2005

Hartwood Enterprises volunteers Dan Baker and Lee Dibble have been to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen.

The lads from Hartcliffe and Withywood, South Bristol, joined CSV to learn about landscaping and conservation and to improve their local environment. But on Thursday 3 November they swapped their boots for suits to join volunteers from around the country to celebrate Year of the Volunteer.

Her Majesty the Queen met 300 volunteers at Buckingham Palace, where she is hosting a reception to honour the contribution of volunteers who regularly give up their time to help others.

Lee Dibble said “I’m looking forward to walking through the gates at Buckingham Palace. To get an invitation is a real privilege and it promises to be an amazing experience. It’s a world away from Withywood.”

Elizabeth Salter, Year of the Volunteer Campaign manager, says: “It is fantastic that the Queen is recognising the value of volunteers. The reception is a great way to raise the profile of the Year of the Volunteer campaign, whilst at the same time helping volunteering to be taken more seriously and encouraging more people to get involved.”

Lee and Dan’s volunteer work at CSV includes transforming school grounds, improving access to green spaces, footpath maintenance and conservation work. 

To find out more about Hartwood Enterprises and how you could get involved, please contact Ken Kennedy on 0117 9359710, or email ken@csvenvironment.org.uk.