A ROYAL appointment saw a kind-hearted charity founder enjoy an afternoon at Buckingham Palace.
Helen Smith was invited to the Palace Garden Party due to her work setting up ‘acts of kindness’ charity Evelyn’s Gift, which she founded in 2014 after the death of her seven-year-old daughter to Bacterial Traceitis – an infection of the windpipe. Her charity work has also seen her support Warwickshire Hearts – which trains people in CPR – and she also volunteers for Lapworth Group Riding for the Disabled.
She was anonymously nominated to go and chose to take Evelyn’s Gift and Warwickshire Hearts trustee Jan Grewal with her to the party.
Helen told the Observer: “Jan has been a driving force behind the CPR and defibrillator training program that has resulted in over 8,000 people being trained so far.
“We both felt we were at the palace to represent Evelyn and all of the local people that help us to do acts of kindness in her memory. I have been fortunate to have met many inspirational people through my work with all three charities and I am in awe of those who run night shelters, deliver CPR training, train as Community First Responders, give their time to help others and raise funds to help charities like ours to reach those in need.
“Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Anne were at the garden party. The weather was perfect, so we were able to enjoy the beautiful palace grounds in a relaxing atmosphere.”
