Lorna Breeze is one of 500 outstanding volunteers to be chosen as the nation’s Coronation Champions.
An outstanding BDA volunteer has been recognised by Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort as part of the official Coronation celebrations in conjunction with Royal Voluntary Service.
Lorna Breeze, who works as the Bariatric Team Lead Dietitian at University Hospital Ayr, within NHS Ayrshire & Arran, volunteers with the BDA and is Chair of the Glasgow & West Scotland Branch. She has been recognised for her contribution and crowned a Coronation Champion. This follows a call out to the nation to nominate their volunteer heroes. Almost 5000 entries were received, including fellow BDA volunteers Nusrat Kauser and Julie Taplin.
Lorna impressed judges due to her leadership, motivation and coordination for the branch committee. Lorna has been instrumental in organising continuous professional development and networking events for dietitians from Dumfries to the Outer Hebrides. These educational events are vital to support BDA members to provide current evidence-based nutritional advice to patients to improve their nutritional status, health, and wellbeing. Lorna actively supported student dietitians during the COVID-19 pandemic too.
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 Lorna have been invited to attend one of the official Coronation celebrations. Lorna will attend Holyrood Palace. She will also receive a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by Their Majesties.
Commenting on becoming a Coronation Champion, Lorna said: “I am delighted to be receiving the Coronation Champion Award from the Royal Voluntary Service. The last few years, both working in healthcare and volunteering to support my colleagues at the British Dietetic Association (BDA), has been a challenge, during very difficult times for us all.
“Because of this, I feel even more privileged that my peers have highlighted my many years of volunteering and that my commitment to supporting others has been recognised. This award is not just for me but also for the rest of our wonderful volunteers in the West of Scotland. A huge thank you to the BDA for the nomination.”
Liz Stockley, CEO of the BDA said: “A huge congratulations to Lorna on her much-deserved award. It’s only through the work of our dedicated volunteers that we are able to make a difference to food and nutrition. Hundreds of our members put so much time into supporting the development of dietetics, supporting at an individual and wider public health level. We’re so grateful for all that they do.”
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 Simplyhealth, 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.