EACH volunteers Vanessa and David join The Princess of Wales for Christmas carols at Westminster Abbey

December 22, 2022

Volunteers were rewarded for their tireless dedication after being invited to a “magical, joyful” carol service at Westminster Abbey.

Among those in the congregation at ‘Together for Christmas’, spearheaded by The Princess of Wales and supported by The Royal Foundation, were East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) pair Vanessa Moore and David Gould.

Both were nominated for their commitment and dedication over a number of years.

Vanessa, 71, is a long-serving volunteer at EACH’s Whittlesey shop while David has been lending his time and help in various ways since 2010.

Vanessa, who chose to take friend Pam Cottingham, said: “I felt so fortunate to be invited. It was just magical – solemn and reflective but joyful, too. A service to reflect on family past and present.

“I was thrilled to be chosen and will remember it for years to come.”

Vanessa, who has been working in EACH’s Whittlesey shop since it opened in July 2011, was delighted to sit close to members of the Royal family and also had a perfect view of the Abbey choir.

She said: “My friend and I joked that we’d probably be sat behind a pillar at the back but that certainly wasn’t the case. We couldn’t believe it as to our left, across the aisle, were the Royal seats and immediately to our right was the Abbey choir. We saw the Royal entourage arrive, then the clergy and choir. It was truly wonderful.”

The Together at Christmas service, which took place on Thursday 15 December, is being broadcast on ITV1 at 7.00pm on Christmas Eve.

It was dedicated to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and celebrated the values she demonstrated throughout her life, including duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others.

Like Vanessa, David, who took fellow volunteer John Skoyles, was equally thrilled to be invited to Westminster Abbey.

The 71-year-old has been volunteering for EACH since 2010, regularly giving his time to support the fundraising team and help at events. He also spends three mornings a week in the charity’s Meredith Road shop, in Ipswich.

He said: “It was absolutely brilliant – magical and thoroughly enjoyable. We had such good seats, right at the front, next to the choir and only about 20 yards from the Royal family. Being there was a real honour and I’m extremely grateful to have been nominated and given the opportunity.”