Young horticulturist, 21, who brightened up his village by planting dozens of sunflowers during lockdown is nominated for Queen Consort’s Coronation Champions Award
Young horticulturist Danny Poland brightened up his village and put a smile on his neighbours’ faces during lockdown by planting dozens of sunflowers.
Now Mr Poland, 21, has been nominated for a Queen Consort’s Coronation Champions Award, organised by the Royal Voluntary Service and backed by the Daily Mail.
Mr Poland mobilised residents to form a Village in Bloom group, which saw Irthington in Cumbria pick up a Silver Gilt in last year’s Britain in Bloom competition, while Mr Poland received a Young Persons Champion Award.
And during last summer’s drought, he delivered between 150 to 200 litres of rainwater a day to the flowers he planted around the village on a trailer attached to his bicycle.
He said it was ‘fantastic’ to be put forward for the Coronation Champions award.
Danny Poland (pictured), 21, has been nominated for a Queen Consort’s Coronation Champions Award, organised by the Royal Voluntary Service and backed by the Daily Mail
Five hundred champions will receive a pin, a certificate from Camilla (pictured) and an invitation to one of the Coronation events
Mr Poland, who works at Larch Cottage Nurseries while caring for his disabled mother, was nominated by neighbour and Mail reader Gill Burns, 65.
She said: ‘The village has really benefited from his inspiration and involvement.’
Five hundred champions will receive a pin, a certificate from Camilla and an invitation to one of the Coronation events.
To nominate a volunteer, see our panel or visit www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/coronation-champions-awards
How to nominate someone for a Coronation Champions Award
1. Identify a volunteer
If you know an outstanding volunteer aged 14 and over, you can nominate them for the Queen Consort’s Coronation Champions Awards.
2. Ask for permission
Before you nominate someone, it’s important to check they are happy for you to do so. For nominees aged 16 or under, you must get their parent/guardian’s permission.
3. Head online to nominate
Go to www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/ coronation-champions-awards to find the online form for nominations. There’s also a video by one of the award judges, Dr Eddy Hogg, sharing tips on how to make your nomination stand out.
The form will guide you through the information needed for a nomination, which will include details about your nominee’s involvement in volunteering in the last five years and how they have made a difference.
