Volunteer, 81, left 'speechless' by royal invite

22 December 2025

Naj ModakBBC News, North East and Cumbria

News image — Guests at the carol concert included royals, celebrities and local heroes

Ann Davies People in formal wear in Westminster Abbey, which has four Christmas trees in the background and poppies surrounding a black marble slab on the wooden floor. People are entering through the central doorway and lights can be seen outside. — Guests at the carol concert included royals, celebrities and local heroes

An "admirable" 81-year-old volunteer said she was "speechless" when asked to attend the Princess of Wales' annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

Ann Davies, who has dedicated a decade to cooking for and supporting vulnerable people at The Moses Project in Stockton-on-Tees, was among royals, celebrities and other local heroes to be invited to the event on 5 December.

Mrs Davies said: "We saw William and Kate and their three kids. The atmosphere inside the abbey was fantastic."

The Moses Project provides guidance, mentoring and support to hundreds of adult males with past and current addictions to drugs and alcohol.

The grandmother of three also volunteers as a responsible adult at Middlesbrough police station, supporting vulnerable people who have been arrested.

Stella Jones, 70, operations manager at The Moses Project, said after the charity received two tickets for the event, Mrs Davies was one of the volunteers chosen to attend because she has "a heart for the people she cooks for".

"Someone who is 81 and is still giving to society and showing compassion and caring is admirable, we think a lot of her," she said.

'On the front row'

"I couldn't believe it, I was speechless," said Mrs Davies on receiving her invite.

The atmosphere at Westminster Abbey "was amazing" she said.

"We were on the front row, so of course Catherine was coming up and down talking to children near the front and she stopped about two places along from me."

In a festive Abbey, dotted with Christmas trees, the 1,600 guests heard a mix of traditional carols, music and poems from actors such as Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor and a Bible reading by Prince William.

Ann Davies Ann Davies outside Westminster Abbey ahead of the carol service. She has shoulder length white hair, a pink coat, pink bag and patterned skirt. There is a railing behind her. — Ann Davies was one of two people from The Moses Project to attend the concert

Mrs Davies had been supporting a group for vulnerable woman in the area before getting involved with the project and said "we're the only family" these men have in some cases.

"It's a trust that we've built up, it really is lovely. I'm known as granny."

The former school catering manager said: "We've had a few laughs, we've had a few tears over the years as they have got trapped in that lifestyle."

Mrs Davies cooks for about 50 men and continues her support for them in police custody if they are arrested.

She vowed: "There's no way I'm quitting you know, while I'm standing."

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