A cherished memory of a volunteer meeting Queen Elizabeth Il during the UK's Year of the Volunteer in 2005

–’Elizabeth II had an exceptional aura’-

A cherished memory of a volunteer, Jason Tanner, who met Queen Elizabeth Il in  2005 as part of the Year of the Volunteer

"She was quite remarkable. I was privileged to meet her in 2005 during a special Year of the Volunteer reception held at Buckingham Palace.  I remember that  during the hubbub  created by the excited attendees, there was an unremarkable opening of a secret door that had blended unnoticed with the wall paper. And  then the room was suddenly filled with an exceptional aura that signified the arrival of Her  Majesty.

“She had an extraordinary presence that meant  she didn't need a  trumpeter  or horn player to announce her arrival. Her aura of ‘strong calmness’ gave way to excited panic for one individual when she made an unexpected beeline for the tall guy sticking out amongst the rest of the crowd in a  dark coloured new suit.

“And for some unknown reason, She decided to go straight for me and  talk directly with me, asking what I did to volunteer. Unprepared to actually talk with The Queen, my mind raced ahead; not only to enthuse about volunteering but to gently test our monarch about diversity.

“I decided it was the perfect opportunity to raise the important work of volunteers at the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, to which she gave a most warm, inclusive and perfect response about never ceasing to be amazed at the diversity of the nation.

“I’m not easily starstruck, but I  won't forget that exceptional experience any time soon . She might have been short in stature (like many of her predecessors), but her uniquely calm but assertive aura certainly  did not fall short "

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A cherished memory of a volunteer, Jason Tanner, who met Queen Elizabeth Il as she helped mark the 2005 Year of the Volunteer part coordinated by the UK volunteering charity CSV (now known as Volunteering Matters) and the former Volunteering England. 

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Jason Tanner is one of millions of people throughout the UK who volunteer their time every year to benefit others. He was also the Head of Press at the UK volunteering charity CSV, now known as Volunteering Matters. In 2005, The charity worked closely as a lead organisation in the Year of the Volunteer with Buckingham Palace, countless other charities, business  and Government departments to acknowledge the vital role that volunteers play in the nation's daily life. Before transferring to CSV, Jason worked for the National Trust as Chief Press Officer. The National Trust’s success stems from the huge contribution made by volunteers in all of its work. Its three founders, Octavia Hill, Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley and Sir Robert Hunter, were volunteers themselves.

Contact: Jason Tanner 07941 433598 or jason@jasontanner.uk 

www.jasontanner.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasontanner-uk