Our Bloxwich store's community champion Laura Griffiths is a great supporter of local charities, clubs and good causes ... and she says she's on "cloud nine" after one of the groups she helps nominated her to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Laura said: "I took my mom, who'd just celebrated a special birthday, and we both had the best day! I was nominated by a gentleman called James Elliot from the Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade; when I asked why he said it was because I'm passionate and hardworking.
"It was all a whirl – I received a letter telling me I had been nominated, then a letter asking the name of my guest, and a few forms. It was overwhelming when we arrived at the palace as there were 8,000 people there! The food was beautiful and there were two bands taking it in turns to play. The weather was beautiful – and the ice cream was too!
"It was a once in a lifetime day, so after the palace we went to the Ritz – we wanted to make the most of it. My mom and I are still on cloud nine!"
Deputy store manager Jack Newton said everyone at Asda Bloxwich was delighted for Laura.
He said: "Laura's heavily involved in everything we do in the community, with great links to the local food bank, schools, groups and charities – and it's great that she was nominated by one of the groups she helps.
"We're all really proud of her. Her colleagues in the store all see the tremendous work she does – both in store when she invites children in to help pack bags or choirs in to sing – and when they see her helping groups that their own children and friends are involved in.
"I think the invitation to Buckingham Palace came as a big surprise to Laura, as she just thinks she's doing her job, but she's actually making a great difference."
