PRINCE Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will meet with a steadfast Chester fundraiser to thank her for her tireless charity work.
Grandmother Margaret McKeegan, of Francis Street, who has dedicated her life to supporting wounded soldiers in the armed forces, has been named one of just 10 people in the North West and Yorkshire to be nominated for a Diamond Champions Award.
The 78-year-old will visit St James’ Palace next month to receive her accolade, which honours the work of ‘outstanding volunteers’ from across the UK.
More than 800 people from the region were nominated to be Diamond Champions, an award run by older persons charity WRVS which recognises the contribution that people over the age of 60 make through volunteering.
The 10 winners were chosen by a regional judging panel and were presented with a specially designed Diamond Champions pin at a celebratory event at York Guildhall last week.
As well as Their Royal Highnesses, who will present the 10 champions with their award, well-known ambassadors including Felicity Kendal, Denise Robertson, Philip Schofield and Gloria Hunniford will also be attendance at the London event in November.
Margaret, whose fundraising has equipped orphanages and hospitals all over the world and brightened the days of hundreds of soldiers with her shoebox treats, said it was ‘an honour’ to receive the accolade.
“I don’t want publicity for myself, I’m not interested – it’s all about those injured men out there, some of whom have nobody,” she said.
“The Army is my life. Of course it’s an honour as well but I just hope it brings about some more support for them, I would love for more people to get involved with helping them.”
