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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Hannah Carmichael & Jon Brady

Scots charity boss 'hugely honoured' to be guest at Queen's state funeral

The chief executive of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland has said she is "hugely honoured and privileged" to be attending the Queen's state funeral.

Jane-Claire Judson will be part of the 2,000-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey on Monday. The Queen was patron of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland for 70 years and had "a long association with the organisation" and the work it carries out.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Ms Judson said it was "extremely special and important" that the charity had been given a chance to pay its respects on behalf of all of its staff, volunteers and beneficiaries. She added that the Queen's "consistent support" was something that has been valued by the organisation.

She said: "I think the feeling is one of being hugely honoured and privileged to be able to take part in something that is very sombre, but is also very important to such a large number of people. And I do feel very privileged that I am able to do that on behalf of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland and all of our staff and volunteers.

"The Queen was our patron, so for us it's extremely special and important to pay our respects. So from that perspective, it's both sad but also an opportunity to celebrate her life and all the support that she gave to the charity."

Thousands have turned out to see the Queen lying in state (Paul Ellis/PA Wire)

She added: "The Queen herself was hugely passionate and committed around public service and volunteering. We're one of Scotland's largest volunteering charities, so it meant a lot to our volunteers to have that recognition, that support."

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland was one of 60 recipients of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award in 2012, one of the highest awards given to volunteer groups in the UK. Ms Judson said the opportunity for the organisation's volunteers and service users to meet the Queen at that time was "so valuable" and gave them "memories people will keep with them forever".

She added: "That sense of connection and recognition, the support from Her Majesty the Queen, was incredibly important to the organisation. The 70 years that she engaged with the organisation, you know, that thread of support, consistent support, is definitely something that we valued and will miss."

The Queen died on Thursday September 8 at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes from the public, the Royal Family and many of the organisations with which Her Majesty had been linked over the years. At present, her coffin is lying in state at Westminster Hall in London, where it will remain until 6.30am on Monday.

The Queen visiting Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland in 1999 (PA)

Earlier on Sunday the UK Government released details of the timings around Her Majesty's funeral, which is expected to begin at 11am on Monday September 19. Edinburgh Council will be screening the state funeral on a big screen in Holyrood Park in front of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Falkirk Council is also holding a service of reflection at the Kelpies at 7.30pm today. The iconic horse statues sit within Helix Park alongside the anointed Queen Elizabeth II Canal, which Her Majesty opened in 2017.

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