Coronation awards joy for Chris & Ursula Downton from Children with Cancer Fund!

They are some of 500 outstanding volunteers to be chosen as the nation’s Coronation Champions.

The outstanding founders of the charity ‘Children with Cancer Fund’ from Polegate, have been recognised by Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort as part of the official Coronation celebrations in conjunction with Royal Voluntary Service.

Chris & Ursula with Children with Cancer Fund (a local charity who support children and their families who are affected by childhood cancer across East Sussex, Brighton & Hove) have been recognised for their contribution and crowned a Coronation Champion.

This follows a call out to the nation to nominate their volunteer heroes. Almost 5000 entries were received, with nominations made for individuals aged 14 up to 103.

Chris & Ursula impressed judges with their amazing long-standing support of local families for the last 25 years. Chris & Ursula have supported thousands of families affected by childhood cancer. Raising huge amounts of money every year since they started to support
the families emotionally, practically & financially.

Chris, Ursula & the team at CWCF currently support over 152 families across East Sussex, Brighton & Hove. With the support of Her Majesty The Queen Consort, a passionate advocate of volunteering and President of Royal Voluntary Service, the Coronation Champions Awards were launched to recognise exceptional volunteers from across the country at this momentous point in history.

Across the UK, 500 Champions dazzled the judging panel with the impact of their work, their inspirational stories and unwavering commitment to volunteering. All Coronation Champions, including Chris & Ursula, have been invited to attend one of the official Coronation celebrations, such as the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or a Coronation Garden Party.

They will also receive a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by Their Majesties. Commenting on becoming a Coronation Champion, Chris & Ursula Downton have said: “We are shocked and SO honoured to be chosen amongst everyone who was
nominated.

We are just so proud of the charity. It’s certainly not just myself, & Ursula, the past & present team of CWCF, have helped us to where we are today. We always say, ‘Team work truly makes the dream work’ and we, as a team, will continue to keep doing whatever we can for the children and families we support.”

The Coronation Champions Awards invited people across the UK to nominate their local volunteering heroes who are going the extra mile. Nominations were made across eight award categories; supporting older people; supporting young people and children; crisis and welfare; community; sports, culture, and heritage; health and care; sustainability and the environment; and animal welfare. 

Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service said: “We were completely blown away by the response to the Community Champions Awards and the huge volume of amazing nominees put forward. Our judges had a tough job selecting just 500 Champions from an array of thousands of inspirational individuals, who all deserve to be recognised and commended. “ 

“Each of our Coronation Champions displayed a commitment and contribution that far exceeds any expectation and we’re overjoyed to honour and thank them during this exciting point in history.”

Royal Voluntary Service is immensely grateful for the generous support of brand partners Simply health, for supporting the Health and Care category, Sky through its Sky Cares programme, for supporting the Community category and Petplan, for supporting the Animal Welfare category.

Those feeling inspired to try volunteering themselves are encouraged to take part in The Big Help Out on Monday 8th May. The Big Help Out is another official Coronation project, aiming to encourage newcomers to volunteering, bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation weekend. Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with volunteers supporting the NHS and thousands of vulnerable people in the community.

The charity delivers the NHS Volunteer Responders programme for NHS England, enabled by the GoodSAM app, with volunteers responding to over 2.5 million requests for help to support approximately 220,000 people, and completing over 363,000 shifts at vaccination sites.

The charity also works in local communities running home libraries, companionship support, home from hospital services and patient transport. Its Virtual Village Hall provides online activities and classes to promote wellbeing and keep people active.