Ahoghill man Wallace Elder hard at work in the village.
Ahoghill man Wallace Elder has been crowned as one of the United Kingdom's 500 official Coronation Champions!
The dedicated hardworking and humble local volunteer has been recognised and praised for his work in the community and his commitment to creating a better and more beautiful environment for everyone in the County Antrim village.
The Coronation Champions Awards, launched by Royal Voluntary Service, is all about celebrating the work of extraordinary volunteers across the UK who have been contributing to their communities.
Thousands of people aged from 14 to 103 from all over the UK and supporting a range of causes were nominated, and from these nominations 500 volunteers have been hand-picked by a judging panel presided over by the Queen Consort, and crowned Coronation Champions.
Pictured (L-R) are Wallace Elder, TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald, and John Wilson in London after Ahoghill was awarded 100 Sakura trees, part of the gift of 6,500 cherry trees from Japan to schools and parks across the UK.
TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald expressed his delight at the well-deserved award for the Ahoghill man. He said:
“I am delighted that Wallace Elder’s services to the community in Ahoghill has been recognised as he has been named as a Coronation Champion.
“Wallace is the key volunteer in Ahoghill in Bloom and regularly works in the village every day bar Sunday along side other volunteers. He’s never been afraid to get his hands dirty with grass cutting and litter picking and there are a number of old buildings in the village which look much better than they would because of his efforts.
“It is very fitting therefore that he should receive such an honour from His Majesty who is, of course, a keen gardener. Only 500 people across the U.K. will receive this honour and I am delighted that one of our own is among that select number.”
Wallace along with the other Coronation Champions will receive an official Coronation Champions pin badge, a signed certificate from Their Majesties, and an invite to one of the Coronation Celebrations, such as the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or a Coronation Garden Party.