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A DIPLOMATIC negotiator from Dorset is to receive a Platinum Champion Award in recognition of his incredible volunteer work to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The Duchess of Cornwall has crowned 490 volunteers “Platinum Champions”, calling them “the backbone of our country”.
Among the winners is Richard Courtenay Cripwell, of Stinsford near Dorchester, who was awarded the honor of Platinum Champion through the patronage of Her Majesty The Queen of the Royal Voluntary Service, for outstanding service and dedication to crisis and welfare -be in the past 20 years.
Camilla led an all-star jury which included Alex Jones, Felicity Kendal, Gethin Jones, Myleene Klass, Ade Adepitan, Tom Read Wilson and Gyles Brandreth to select the country’s most outstanding volunteers to mark the Queen’s Jubilee.
Out of a nationwide identification of over 200,000 eligible applicants, only 490 have been handpicked to be crowned Platinum Champions.
Of these, only 70 people (one for each year of Her Majesty’s reign) in the UK have been awarded the honor of Platinum Champion for services to Crisis and Welfare.
The diplomatic negotiator is an alumnus of the Sherborne School and studied peace and conflict at the United Nations University in Geneva under his personal tutor and mentor, Professor Johan Galtung, the main founder of the discipline of peace studies. peace and conflict.
Richard works independently but is often hired by official agencies such as the police, NHS or government to help them with his expertise.
His professional expertise includes: diplomatic negotiation in situations of conflict, violence and social difficulties; suicide prevention; anti-bullying initiatives; bereavement counseling; and accident and injury management. He has also been involved in fundraising for a number of charitable causes for many years.
Richard will receive this prestigious award from the Duchess of Cornwall before attending the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace today, Saturday June 4, where he will receive a specially designed lapel pin and certificate signed by Camilla. Richard was invited to attend with his son Zeb as the chosen guest of honour.
Zeb, 15, is a pupil at Thomas Hardye School and a member of Dorchester’s Pop Club as well as local Dorset band ‘Noted’ and has been cited as one of Richard’s ‘biggest inspirations’.
The Royal Voluntary Service simply declares its chosen platinum champions to be heroes.
In response, Richard said: “The real heroes are those who have survived the trials and tribulations of real life, but have emerged from the other side to inspire others to recognize the true and mutual value of people who help others, knowing that life can still be wonderful and that the world is still beautiful.
“Wherever there is kindness, genuine empathy and shared respect, no difficulty or animosity towards anything or anyone is insurmountable. Even in situations of tragedy…the positive light, the Hope, understanding and acceptance can all be achieved over time, providing a helpful sense of resilience and closure after challenge and adversity. This is, in any situation, always a key goal”.
He added, “I am truly humbled and honored beyond words. Thank you to everyone who has inspired me to constantly strive to create positive change. This honor is entirely yours and any “medal” is absolutely for you. »
Asked for a comment, Zeb said: ‘I’m so proud of dad for the job he does, especially when he comes home after a really stressful day and always cooks us a nice supper with candles, music and lots of laughter. He’s so cool.”
The Platinum Champions Awards were organized by the Royal Voluntary Service, of which the Duchess is president, to celebrate the 70 years of reign of the queen, who is the association’s patron.
