A Chester fundraiser who helped found the Hospice of the Good Shepherd was invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace as part of The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

Celia Gifford from Blacon was part of the first committee to start raising funds for a Chester hospice in 1985 and has been chairman of Blacon Support Group since 1989 asked her husband Allan to share her big day on May 10.

She was joined at the royal celebration by husband Allan.

Celia was inspired to help open a local hospice after losing her sister Rhona to cancer in 1985 who received care and support at St John’s Hospice in Clatterbridge.

The family was devastated when Rhona passed away.

She said: “Anybody that has lost a loved one to cancer knows how difficult it is, and whilst the care and support given by St John’s Hospice will never be forgotten, it was a long way to travel every day from Chester.

“There was a need for a hospice in Chester to help local people and their families facing end of life illnesses.”

Related story: Cheshire celebrates The Queen's 90th birthday

Celia joined a group of people that were trying to raise £600,000 to convert the old vicarage at Backford to a place where people could receive specialist palliative care and support when they needed it most.

Celia said: “It is rewarding to still be part of a community group in Blacon that has raised almost £90,000 for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd to date.

“We were delighted to receive an invite to the garden party, it was a memorable day and one I will never forget.”

The Queen's garden party at Buckingham Palace

Celia is now involved in fundraising to support the plans to double the size of the existing hospice building and help local people for the next 25 years.

An event at the Blacon Enterprise Centre on June 10 from 2.30-4.30pm will celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday and help raise funds for the hospice From Silver to Gold appeal.”

Community fundraiser for the Hospice Phil Crawford said “We are delighted Celia was acknowledged for all her hard work and dedication. Without the support of people like her there wouldn’t be a local hospice. We cannot thank Celia and everybody enough who volunteer for us throughout the year. Blacon Support Group and others around Chester always welcome new volunteers also.”

Tickets for the Blacon Afternoon Tea Party can be obtained at the Enterprise Centre in Blacon or you can pay at the door.

The garden party on May 10 made national headlines after The Queen was caught on camera saying Chinese officials were ‘very rude’ during last year’s state visit by President Xi Jinping.