Posted on Friday 5th May 2023
Community Champion, Lianne Al-Khaldi
A community champion from Staffordshire has been invited to London for the King’s Coronation as a thank you for her work in her local community.
Video: Lianne talks about the moment she got her invitation
Lianne Al-Khaldi, aged 39 from Baswich in Stafford, will be part of the congregation at the service at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May.
Lianne is Chair of Baswich Community Group, who deliver a variety of community activities in the area. Activities include the Tuesday drop-in club from 10am to 12noon and the mental health Crafty Cafe on Friday mornings, both held at Holy Trinity Church on Baswich lane.
And, if Lianne isn’t busy enough already, on the first Saturday of each month, she also supports a team of volunteers at Baswich library before setting off on their litter picking duties in the local area. Lianne also does voluntary work at a local high School, has delivered an Afghan appeal project, and supports her daughter’s community fridge project - Imani’s Incredible Eats. She has even started planning for the Christmas Fayre at the Baswich shops on Saturday 2 December.
Lianne said:
“I’m incredibly excited about the whole thing and feel honoured to be attending the Coronation.
“I couldn’t believe it when I got the letter, it was a total shock. The invite that arrived through the post is just beautiful. I’m too young to remember the last one but this will be a day I’ll always remember.
“I really enjoy my voluntary work, the people I meet and the new places I get to visit. It’s great hearing people’s stories and seeing the difference volunteering can have on so many people.
“The only thing I need to do now before I go to London is to get some new shoes to match my outfit.”
Lianne was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2022 for her work coordinating a team to sew and deliver 3,500 sets of PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Staffordshire County Councillor, Simon Tagg said:
“The King’s Coronation will be a fantastic event and we want people to be able to join in the celebrations.
“It’s great news that Lianne is attending the ceremony and I’m sure it’s a day she’ll never forget. The invite is well deserved and is in recognition of the amazing voluntary work she does for her local community. She’s promised to keep us updated with developments throughout the day and we’re looking forward to sharing her stories and photos.
“The Coronation will be a wonderful opportunity to come together with friends, family and the local community, and I do hope people are able to join in the celebrations.”