Unsung heroes hailed in Queen’s Christmas Speech

 QUEEN Elizabeth II will pay tribute to the ‘ordinary people doing extraordinary things’ during her televised Christmas Day address to the nation. 

The Monarch will also highlight the achievements of the hundreds of national charities of which she is a patron, and the inspirational work seen in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. 

She has chosen inspiration as the theme of 2016’s address and will reserve special praise for the efforts of the UK’s hugely successful Olympic and Paralympic teams in Rio this year. 

But it was in the charitable efforts of ordinary people up and down the country that the Queen found the greatest inspiration:

“I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special” the Queen will say.

“They are an inspiration to those who know them.”

The historic speech was recorded in the regency room of Buckingham Palace and comes after the Queen celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this year.