Queen thanks 'wonderful' efforts of Commonwealth volunteers in video call

The Queen has thanked Commonwealth volunteers for their "wonderful" efforts during a chatty video call.

The first volunteer to receive the Commonwealth Points of Light award during the call was turtle conservationist Len Peters, who featured in Sir David Attenborough's Blue Planet II series.

The wildlife enthusiast from Trinidad chatted with Her Majesty about his experiences as she praised him and two other volunteers.

"Thank you all for taking part in this programme," the Queen said in high spirits.

"I'm delighted to have heard your stories and I think it's wonderful work that you're all doing, and volunteering so much. Thank you very much."

Mr Peters' work and journey as a conservationist, which he started in 1990, was featured by Sir David in the popular wildlife series.

The Queen asked him about his appearance on the broadcaster's popular show: "So David Attenborough got to know what you were doing?"

He said his relatives were one of the largest turtle-eating families in his village but he and a group of friends came together "to try and make a difference".

He added: "Here you have a young boy from a turtle-eating family wanting to make a difference."

"At night we would walk the beach back and forth protecting the turtles that came up, to try to convince people that it was the right thing to do.

Mr Peters received the Commonwealth Points of Light award - which recognises outstanding volunteering work by individuals - for his community-driven Grande Riviere Nature Tour Guide Association.

He said the project had transformed the lives of those around him, with the economic drive of the community now focused on conservation.

Mr Peters said Sir David spent two weeks with them and "inspired the children to dream".

"That's very interesting indeed to hear that," the Queen replied.

The Queen was also treated to her first virtual musical performance during the call by children from a symphony orchestra that is part of Sistema Cyprus - an organisation founded by Cypriot music teacher Nikoletta Polydorou to support disadvantaged children by providing free music education and instruments.

Ms Polydorou said the performance was a "gift" to the Queen for her recent 73rd wedding anniversary.

The Queen was also taken on a virtual tour of collaborative workspace Makobo by fellow Commonwealth Points of Light recipient Ruy Santos, which he founded in 2009 to promote nutrition, education and youth employment.

Makobo has used its facilities to feed 6,000 people a day during the COVID-19 pandemic, including lunchboxes for school children.

It has also worked with 15 local dressmakers to produce thousands of facemasks for underprivileged communities, hospitals and charity workers.

During the call, Mr Santos, from Mozambique, presented the Queen with her first virtual gift - a facemask - one of Makobo's handmade products "from Mozambique with love".

There have been 163 recipients of the Commonwealth Points of Light award, which was launched in February 2018.