A Whitefield community champion has been invited to watch the King's coronation in May after she received a British Empire Medal and met the King last year.

Rochelle Gardner, the community champion at Whitefield Morrisons, said she is “honoured and excited” to have been invited to the royal event at the Abbey Church of Westminster on Saturday, May 6.

Bury Times: Rochelle Gardner's invitation Rochelle Gardner's invitation (Image: public)

Rochelle, who joined the Morrisons store in 2008, said: “Although I won’t exactly be sitting next to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, just being present on such a monumental occasion is incredible.

Supermarket community champion receives New Year honour

Bury Times: Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion (Image: public)

“There are no plus ones like I got at the royal garden party but there are a lot less people invited, the Queen had nearly 8,000 at hers but it just adds to how amazing it is that I have been chosen going to be one of the people going.”

Nearly 2,000 people have been formally invited to the event and Rochelle will be among them.

Bury Times: Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion (Image: public)

Rochelle received a British Empire Medal last year for her community work and was chosen to meet King Charles in November, when he toured the Morrisons head office in Bradford.

She said: “It was just surreal, especially because once I met him I realised that he is just a normal guy!

Bury Times: King Charles at the Morrisons Head Office King Charles at the Morrisons Head Office (Image: Newsquest, Andy Garbutt)

“I didn’t think I would be nervous until he came out of another room with all the photographers ahead of him, that was scary, but he made me feel quite relaxed and was genuinely interested in what we had to say.”

Bury Times: Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion (Image: Rochelle Gardner)

 “I love being a community champion, it is such a rewarding job and I’m so proud to work for Morrisons.

“This really is the icing on the cake after receiving my medal, going to the garden party and meeting the King.”

Bury Times: Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion (Image: public)

Since joining Morrisons, Rochelle used her position to raise money for hospices, schools and community groups and has been an ambassador for the children’s charity, Young Lives Vs Cancer, for which she has raised more than £15,000.

Bury Times: Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion (Image: public)

Throughout the pandemic, Rochelle helped to support vulnerable members of the Jewish community, even organising a virtual event to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, to bring residents together, despite the divisive and isolating circumstances.

Bury Times: Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion Rochelle Gardner, Community Champion (Image: public)

Among her most celebrated acts of kindness, she also arranged for a young patient at Christie’s hospital to receive a personal letter from Manchester United FC.

If you have a story tweet @BuryTimes or @Heywoodharriet_ or email Harriet.Heywood@newsquest.co.uk