A Samaritans Scotland volunteer rubbed shoulders with royalty after being invited to a garden party hosted by HRH The King.
Ros was chosen by Samaritans’ Edinburgh branch to attend the occasion at the Palace of Holyroodhouse – The King’s official residence when he is in Scotland.
The branch was asked to nominate a volunteer to attend the party, held on July 2, by the Rt Hon Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge.
Ros, who is registered blind, attended the day with her trusted Guide Dog, Cookie.
She was chosen by the branch in recognition of her 16 years of being a volunteer, four of which she has also been a depute director for volunteer support.
Ros said: “Initially I volunteered for Samaritans as I wanted to give something back and I felt it was a volunteering role I could easily do despite having a visual impairment.
“It is a privilege to be there for our callers so that they can be heard without judgement, and they know there is always someone there to listen.
“I really enjoy the role of volunteer support as I strongly believe we need to support and look after our volunteers so that they can be there for our callers.”
The theme of this year’s garden party was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth, and Ros is delighted to have been chosen to attend during the Samaritans Edinburgh branch’s own special anniversary year.
She continued: “I was pleased and privileged to be chosen by the branch to attend the garden party and represent the charity, especially with it being the branch’s 65th birthday this year – making it the second oldest Samaritans branch in the UK.”
Julia Boxer-Peden, director of the Samaritans Edinburgh branch, said: “I'm delighted that Ros attended this year’s garden party from our branch of Samaritans in Edinburgh, in recognition of everything she does for the branch.”