New Royal date for kind Rachel

A young Hartlepool woman was invited to the Royal Garden Party for a second year running in recognition of her volunteering efforts.

- Madeleine Raine

Rachel Hodge, 23, enjoyed a day out at Buckingham Palace with her mum Sue Welch earlier this month for her commitment to the community and in the local education sector.

Rachel spoke to both the King and Queen who were “keen to listen to Rachel's story” and enjoyed a “lovely afternoon tea”.

This is the second time Rachel has been invited to the garden party, visiting just last year after she received her Duke of Edinburgh (D of E) Award.

Now a D of E programme organiser, she said: "It was brilliant to have been asked back but on the other side of things this year.