On Tuesday 9th July Sandy Campbell (CEO), Lauren Shand (former trainee) and Jack Readman (current trainee) went to a reception for youth charities at Buckingham Palace. They had a day out in London before heading to the palace in the evening.

“This was an exciting day for Workingrite. A visit to Buckingham Palace at a reception organised for 12 youth charities and hosted by the Duke of York – Prince Andrew. As CEO I took two of our successful trainees – Lauren Shand and Jack Readman. We met as strangers at midday but within a couple of hours were getting on like a house on fire. Jack had travelled from Worcester and Lauren from Aberdeen. After dumping our bags we headed for the London Eye then back to the hotel to get our Palace gear on. A scorcher of a day with a glamorous goal. As we were escorted through the main doors of the Palace past the clicking tourists and busbies in their sentry boxes, we all admitted we were pretty nervous.

Prince Andrew was not only charming and welcoming, but surprisingly down to earth and approachable. In the Gallery Room, surrounded by Rembrandts, Rubens, dripping goal leaf and thick thick piled carpets, we rubbed shoulders with other charities and invites big business guests looking to find a way to support good works. Jack and Lauren just shone. After half an hour they were making their own introductions and telling their story with style and confidence.

When we strode out proudly after an experience of a lifetime I took them for a slap up meal on Piccadilly – crowning off a wonderful day. We slept like logs and said our fond farewells at Paddington station the next morning.” – Sandy Campbell

See pictures from their trip on our Facebook page