A Peckham-based Morrisons employee who got a royal medal for her community work has now been recognised and commended by the King.
Rose Morgan, 58, grew up in Dulwich and has worked as Community Champion for Morrisons in Peckham since 2014. Each UK store has a Community Champion and their work includes supporting local food banks, schools and the elderly and vulnerable in their areas.
Earlier this year, Rose was given a British Empire Medal for her idea to lift customers’ spirits during the pandemic. “I had the idea to hand out millions of ‘seeds of hope’ – so I wrote to the CEO of Morrisons and he loved the idea.
British Empire Medal handed to Peckham community champion for ‘seeds of hope’ idea
The seeds represented giving customers something to grow as a sign of hope in an uncertain time.
“Last year we gave out sunflower seeds and it went down so well that they decided to do it again this year!”
This year they gave out cornflower seeds – “Apparently they are the Queen’s favourite flower, which makes what happened next even more special,” she added.
Rose explained that following the medal and attending the garden party at Buckingham Palace she was surprised with the chance to meet the new King.
“The company surprised me and four others from different parts of the UK. We went to the Bradford store where we met King Charles.
“You never think it will happen to you!”
“I didn’t expect this. I love my work and what I do in the community. You just feel grateful to be able to play a part in some way.”
“I’m not different from anyone else, I’m a normal woman. So it’s great for people to see that this can happen to normal people.”
She said meeting him was a ‘wonderful but surreal experience.’
“He looks just like the photos!” she said. “And he was so polite and kind.
“He spoke about Peckham and asked about how people were doing in the area. He seemed genuinely interested.
“He commended us for the work we were doing.”
Rose said she has faith in him as a King after meeting him. “I think he’s going to do a good job as King because I think he cares about the people. You get that from meeting him.”
In terms of how to unite the community in the current climate, she added: “People can’t help the situations they’re in a lot of the time. They just need to know other people care.
“A little goes a long way in care. We have to respect each other.”
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