An outstanding volunteer who works in Dorchester, 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.
Edd Moore works at Damers First School which is part of The Wessex Academy Trust and has 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.
Edd Moore impressed the judges with his environment work at school, during weekends and holidays to empower young people to take action within their community on a variety of environmental projects.
These included: leading Dorchester to Plastic Free Community Status, Boomerang Bag Dorset, children signing up 60 businesses to become Refill Stations, being a community drop off point for soft plastics with money going back into the school, making and selling eco products like Waxtastic No plastic (cotton material dipped in bees’ wax, an alternative to cling film). Also raising over £75,000 to help fund eco facilities to give the children the best opportunities to get out into nature, learning from nature e.g. a bird hide, kitchen garden, wildlife area with pond, hens, gardens, orchard, nature equipment.
This great environmental work has inspired Dorchester to carry on this by running a regular Repair Café, Rethink Fashion Week and regular Environment Events.
Edd Moore’s environment work has inspired hundreds of children locally and further afield to support the environment in their own time which includes litter picking, growing food from seed, looking after neglected areas making them beautiful and attracting wildlife, writing environment blogs for the community to educate people giving ideas and top tips of what they can do in their homes.
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 Edd Moore, 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, Edd Moore said: “I was overwhelmed to find out I was a Coronation Champion for the environment work I have done with young people. It is so important we instil environmental values in young people, empowering them to take action to look after our world now and for future generations.”
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.
With over 100 members you can join Dorchester Chamber for business from £60p/a (no VAT).
