Cambridgeshire role models attend King Charles III coronation concert
Role models from Cambridgeshire joined 20,000 people at the star-studded concert celebrating the coronation of King Charles III.
From apprentices and cadets to volunteers and people supporting refugees and the most vulnerable in society, a number of individuals were chosen to attend Sunday’s dazzling event.
Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, watched from a royal box in the grounds of Windsor Castle as Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Take That took the stage.
Host Hugh Bonneville kicked off the celebrations and met Muppet star Miss Piggy, before the Prince of Wales took to the stage paying a touching tribute to his father and his late grandmother the Queen.
Stars including Hugh Jackman, Pierce Brosnan, Dame Joan Collins, Bear Grylls OBE, Alan Titchmarsh, and Sir Tom Jones gave pre-recorded video messages in honour of the King throughout the concert.
Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Julie Spence – who is the monarch’s representative in the county – was asked to nominate people to attend the concert.
She had the coronation themes of youth, diversity, community and sustainability when making her selection.
“I wanted to take this fantastic opportunity to highlight some of our excellent adults who have made a difference for others (young and old) over many years, so I asked leading organisations in Cambridgeshire to put forward deserving and inspirational people to have this one-off experience,” said Ms Spence.
Those chosen to attend the concert were:
Harrison Fuller – business development manager at Young Technicians Academy, who has spent many years working with not-for-profit community groups and charities and supported local causes and events.
Charlotte Black – the former director of adult social care for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, who has worked across health and social care for many years.
Joshua Marshall-Law – a 17-year-old student from Huntingdon who studies at the Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology and who volunteers at his local community fridge. Joshua has also set up book clubs and helps to run seasonal events for children in Huntingdon.
Michael Burrell – Cambridgeshire Apprentice of the Year and firefighter who has helped improve ways of learning and mentored new colleagues joining the service.
Snieguole Maliavskaja (Snow) – a Lithuanian migrant in Peterborough who helps others who have moved here from Eastern Europe in their day-to-day lives.
Sienna Warder – the 16-year-old head girl at Soham Village College has been a part of Viva Youth Theatre company in Ely since the age of seven and has been involved in 17 shows. This includes Oliver (2014), which was performed at the Shaw Theatre London, and at the age of 10 taking The Dreaming (2017) up to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Charlie Jepson – the 17-year-old St Ives resident is a dedicated police cadet and volunteers during weekends at the Op Feline catalytic converter marking events. He has also taken part in test purchase operations with neighbourhood policing teams and carried out knife sweeps during Op Sceptre week of action after school.
Bianca Giancola – the Cambridgeshire Cadet of the Year and East of England Regional Cadet of the Year. Bianca, who attends Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge, has been a St John Ambulance cadet for five years, representing SJA in public events, and taking part in outreach activities such as helping with wellbeing gardens in Ely and acting as a coach in first aid for youths.
Pino Soccio – the founder and CEO of Young Technicians Academy in Whittlesey has spent many years working with non-for-profit community groups and charities.
Alison Taylor – managing director of Conscious Communications, which has celebrated numerous award wins, including: Best in Community Engagement Award at The Drum’s Social Purpose Awards, Business of the Year (under 50 employees) and Positive Impact Award at the Cambridgeshire SME Awards.
