A local solicitor and her husband attended the royal garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Beverley Sunderland and her husband were key volunteers at the Vaccination Centre at Newbury Racecourse.

They managed and co-ordinated a 400-strong volunteer force which successfully delivered over 66,500 vaccinations during the centre's operation from January to June 2021.

They were in high-profile company at the gathering, joining King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh among many other guests from all walks of life.

Beverley Sunderland, founder and partner of Abingdon-based Crossland Employment Solicitors, said: “My husband and I were very honoured to be invited by the King to attend the Royal Garden Party, which we assume was for our work at the vaccination centre at Newbury Racecourse – it’s the only good we have done!"

She acknowledged that they owe much of their success to the extraordinary efforts of their diligent team: “We will never forget that time, or the amazing efforts of all the 400 volunteers who stepped forward to ensure the vulnerable and local community were vaccinated as quickly as possible, and worked in partnership with the great NHS team who got the centre up and running so quickly".

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Not only did they serve their community through the vaccination centre, her team at Crossland Employment Solicitors provided comprehensive support to clients and members of the public during the difficult lockdown period.

She further added: “But I wouldn’t have been able to consider taking on this major role if it hadn’t been for my amazing colleagues who stepped up to enable me to do it.

"They worked tirelessly despite home schooling their children, to ensure all of our clients were fully supported at this time and also helping worried and scared members of the public who were ringing in trying to understand the furlough scheme or reporting furlough fraud".

Ms Sunderland noted the team's commitment to helping the public by providing updates about the ever-changing furlough scheme.

She ended with a heartfelt: “So thanks to my team for your incredible support throughout, and also for enabling me to attend the royal garden party!”.