A former Newcastle Emlyn mayor and British Heart Foundation volunteer was among the charity champions recognised for their efforts by His Majesty King Charles III at a Royal Garden party.
Alan Jones, from Newcastle Emlyn, was personally invited to Buckingham Palace for the special Coronation Garden Party on 9 May.
The 65 year-old was nominated for his contribution to the Newcastle Emlyn community and his dedication to public service.
For the past 33 years, Alan has served as a member of the Newcastle Emlyn Town Council, and has been elected mayor of Newcastle Emlyn six times.
A pillar of his community, Alan has been involved with many local organisations over the years and has organised many charity fundraising events.
A retired firefighter, he suffered a heart attack in 2021. Alan recovered well and continues to give his time to voluntary causes like the BHF.
Every year in Wales, there are as many as 5,000 hospital admissions for heart attacks - that's one around every 100 minutes.
In the 1960s more than seven out of ten heart attacks in the UK were fatal. Today, thanks in part to the BHF’s work, more than seven out of ten people survive.
Thankfully, Alan is one of these. Once recovered, he was keen to give back to the charity that helped save his life.
He decided to volunteer at his local BHF home store in Carmarthen, where he has been helping every Monday.
Alan, who attended the Garden Party with his wife, Jo, said: “Jo and I had an amazing time soaking up the atmosphere at the palace.
"My mum was a staunch royalist and would have been so proud. Although we loved being at Buckingham Palace, walking amongst royalty, the biggest honour was to have been nominated.
“Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your community. I’ve been at the BHF Carmarthen home store for a year now and it has been a wonderful experience for me.
"I’d encourage anyone who is thinking of volunteering to try it out – it’s so sociable, and I love working alongside the team.”
The Buckingham Palace Garden Party was hosted, on behalf of the King, by the Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness was joined by The Princess of Wales, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Linda Ryan, Carmarthen home store manager at the BHF said: “It is brilliant to see Alan’s work recognised in such a monumental way.
"He is an incredible volunteer, and the customers love him as he’s such an important part of our community.
“Our 17,000 volunteers are the lifeblood to our retail, events, and fundraising operations. Without their support, we simply couldn’t do the amazing things we do.
"That’s why we’re calling on the public to give the gift of time by volunteering with the BHF.
“Anyone is welcome to come and lend a hand, either from home or in any of our 700 shops.
"Every hour volunteered is truly valued and helps make a real difference to the BHF and the 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK.”
The BHF are one of the charities participating in the Big Help Out, the coronation campaign encouraging the public help in their local communities.
To learn more about volunteering opportunities at the BHF visit: bhf.org.uk/volunteer
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