Two Girlguiding volunteers from Cumbria joined the effort to volunteer as part of the support team for the Queen’s funeral.
Ann-Marie Steel, and Helen Marrs volunteered alongside other Girlguiding members from across the country. Before their volunteering shift, they had time to join the queue to pay their respects to the Queen lying in state. Joining the queue just past midnight, after 14 hours they were able to pay their respects to Girlguiding’s patron of 69 years.
Wearing their navy blue uniform and Cumbria North neckerchiefs in turquoise, green and purple, to represent the area’s lakes, countryside and landscape, they were spotted on TV by Ann-Marie’s husband Mark.
In addition to being County Commissioner for Cumbria North, Ann-Marie runs 15th Workington Brownies and 2nd Cockermouth Guides, and Helen is unit leader for Aspatria Rainbows and is also assistant county commissioner with responsibility for growth co-ordinator.
Helen said: “We decided to take the opportunity to travel down to the capital to represent Girlguiding in Cumbria North, and and represent the county by paying our respects to Her Majesty. She was our patron and we have made our promise to her.”
Ann-Marie added: “It was a weekend full of emotion from start to finish, very hard to describe. Going in to see the coffin just took my breath away and the tears just took over.”
They spent Sunday as part of the volunteer team meeting being stationed at Whitehall, answering questions and giving directions to the public. Ann-Marie said: ‘It was a brilliant day today volunteering as part of Team London. We’re really glad to have been part of such an historic event, and proud to have been doing so as members of Girlguiding.”
Helen added: “Her Majesty was a Guide too, and learned lots of skills the same way our girls do now, so it was amazing to be able to repay that by volunteering this weekend.”
There are Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Ranger groups across the county, for girls and young women aged 4-18. To find your nearest group, go to www.girlguiding.org.uk/joinus
