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Two volunteer heroes from Caerphilly County Borough were among the 20,000-strong audience at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, after being recognised for their community work.

Rachel Walby, 42, of Lansbury Park, Caerphilly, and Marian Curtis, 75, from Oakdale, were at Sunday’s star-studded event as guests of honour after being named Coronation Champions by the Royal Voluntary Service.

Five-hundred people were recognised for their voluntary contributions, after almost 5,000 entries were received.

Rachel volunteers as the full-time chair of Bridging Together – an organisation promoting community through events. It is part of the wider Parent Network in Caerphilly County Borough.

Rachel said: “Bridging Together is a group of volunteers from the local area. Many of us are parents who have struggled. We dedicate our time to putting on free events and activities for everyone from the community and we want to make sure no one is left out.”

Volunteering with Bridging Together since 2019, Rachel said she wants to give back. From distributing food bags, to dressing up as the Easter Bunny during lockdown, Rachel said she enjoys helping others and seeing smiles on the faces of parents and children.

On being named a Coronation Champion, she said: “I couldn’t believe it. I clicked on the email and it said ‘Congratulations’.”

Rachel later found out that one of her colleagues, Amy Price, had nominated her for the award.

She added: “ I don’t do it to be recognised – I do it for the people. I work with the best group of ladies in Bridging Together and Parent Network.

“If it wasn’t for Parent Network it wouldn’t be possible helping us get grants so we can put all the free events in place.”

Retired nurse Marian Curtis, 75, of Oakdale, was equally surprised when she discovered she had been named a Coronation Champion – and initially dismissed the email as a scam.

It was only when the Royal Voluntary Service emailed again that she asked her daughter Lisa Curtis-Jones to take a second look.

A volunteer with Rhymney Valley Foodbank, Marian is also a church trustee with the Islwyn Ministry. She has also been an end-of-life befriender and during the pandemic volunteered at a vaccination centre two days a week.

Marian described the honour as “humbling” and said: “I haven’t got lots of money, but I have got time I am able to give to others.”

Unlike Rachel though, Marian does not know who put her forward for the award.

She said: “I am very thankful to whoever did it – it’s wonderful to be appreciated.”

As well as an invite to Coronation Concert, all 500 of the volunteers awarded received a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service said: “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.”