A Shrewsbury couple who have devoted 30 years of their lives to helping others have been rubbing shoulders with royalty at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party.
Nicky and Don Purcell, from Radbrook Green, who met and married through the British Red Cross, were part of a group of 40 representatives from the town invited to the glamorous event in London yesterday afternoon.
Up to 5,000 national members of the charity were asked to the party to commemorate 100 years since receiving the royal charter. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were due to host the day, and Nicky said she was really looking forward to it.
“It will be the first time I’ve ever been to the Palace, I’m really excited.
“I think it’s really nice they have done this as a thank you to everyone from the Red Cross, not just for the volunteers but for staff as well. It’s a really nice idea and we’re really excited to be part of it.”
The couple, who have been involved with the association for nearly 30 years, met when they were both volunteering and married nearly four years ago. They have both held a number of paid and unpaid roles and deliver first aid at public events including Shrewsbury Town’s Football games at the Oteley Road stadium.
Nicky said she wasn’t worried about talking to the Prince as she had met him before and was mostly concerned about the prospect of staying dry.
Chronicle editor John Butterworth was also due to attend the party with his wife Jan on behalf of the paper’s charity work with the Red Cross. Our REsponD appeal raised £100,000 for a new vehicle and equipment purchased earlier this year.
Mr Butterworth said he was very proud to be representing the paper and the hard work of all his staff.