Dedicated Sanctuary volunteers have had a brush with royalty after being invited to The Queen’s garden party.

In recognition of the outstanding work they do with youngsters on the Morningside estate in London, tenants Bill Gallagher and Nicolette Nixon were invited to yesterday’s event at Buckingham Palace.

The pair, who have run the Morningside and Gascoyne Youth Clubs for seven years, were nominated by David Bennett, Chief Executive of Sanctuary Group, one of the UK’s leading housing associations.

Around 150 children attend the clubs, which run five nights a week, and enjoy activities including pool and table tennis, arts and crafts, day trips and school holiday sessions.

Following the event Bill said: “It was an absolutely brilliant day. It was a real honour to be there.”

Nicolette added: “It was absolutely fantastic and went really well. It was very impressed with it all.”

Bill said the Sanctuary-funded clubs, which received £62,000 last year, give youngsters something positive to do and have helped reduce antisocial behaviour in the area.

“Running the clubs is very rewarding and the kids are great,” he said. “We treat them with respect and they treat us with respect - it works both ways.”

David Bennett said: “It was a great honour to give two our most deserving volunteers the opportunity to meet The Queen.

“The work Bill and Nicolette do in their community is outstanding and the trip was a way of rewarding their dedication.”

Bill, a Sanctuary Hereward board member and Nicolette, who represents the London and South East regional committee, attended the party with friends.