A volunteer has shared his satisfaction after being one among 2,000 individuals who had the honour of strolling within the Queen’s funeral procession final week.
Steve Ribchester, from Holcombe, has volunteered greater than 700 hours of his time to the British Crimson Cross and within the final two years he has labored with Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.
The 62-year-old has additionally skilled as a North West Ambulance Service driver and a care assistant.
His volunteering work gave him the chance to participate within the historic service on Monday, September 19, which was watched by billions of individuals all over the world.
Steve mentioned: “Only a few individuals can say that they took half within the state funeral procession for Queen Elizabeth.
“My youngsters, grandkids and generations to return in my household will know that I used to be there on the day.
“It makes me very proud and emotional to consider that.”
Steve mentioned he was excited, however he was in two minds concerning the day, simply hoping that he would do his household and Her Majesty proud as he marched from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch.
He added: “The day began at 4.30am and at 5.30am we have been coached into Wellington Barracks.
“I used to be in procession quantity seven, which was the final one to depart the barracks however we noticed all the remainder of the parade and the procession all being fashioned and practising.
“We had three days of coaching, marching by means of the procession twice a day.
“We reckoned from the Wednesday to the Monday – simply in coaching – we walked round 30 miles and my again remains to be telling me about it!”
Queen Elizabeth II was patron of the British Crimson Cross for greater than 70 years and 4 representatives from the organisation, together with Steve, took half in her funeral procession.