A west Suffolk nurse celebrated her birthday in style after being invited to a royal party.
District nurse Sonia Denny, 69, spent an extra special birthday on May 21 when she visited Buckingham Palace for a garden party hosted by Prince William.
Mrs Denny, who is a member of the community early intervention team at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, which runs West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, was one of a group of invitees recognised for their work in public and voluntary services.
Despite a downpour, Mrs Denny, who was accompanied by her husband Richard and daughter Beckie Rolfe, who is a nurse with the trust’s community heart failure team, said she felt privileged to be there.
“It was a shame the weather was so awful, there were a lot of people who had no mac or umbrella and were soaked through," she said.
"Thankfully I bought myself an umbrella before I went in and took my mac as the weather had been forecast.
“Even so my fascinator and pink shoes are ruined, but I did have a lovely day, and was honoured to be asked and privileged to be there."
She said the best part of the day was spending it with her family, as well as the people she met.
“In the Buckingham Palace grounds no one sat down as the tables and chairs were soaked, but I saw a lady on her own, who was about my age," Mrs Denny said.
"She was from Halifax and received the invite for work she had done with alcoholism and drug abuse, an amazing lady.
"The bands and music were lovely, and the gardens, although slightly flooded, but that didn’t dampen our spirits."
Mrs Denny joined West Suffolk Hospital as a cadet nurse aged 17 in 1972, in the “old” hospital for west Suffolk – St Mary’s.
Last year she received a long-service trophy celebrating more than 50 years as a nurse.
At the time, she said: “I look back and realise what a privilege it has been to be in people’s lives and be welcomed into their homes.
"I feel very humbled to care for people at the times in their lives when they show such courage and strength. It’s the best job in the world. I appreciate it every day.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here