Battersea volunteer to attend The Patron’s Lunch
Chris McLean with her Battersea foster dogs.
A dedicated Battersea volunteer has been selected to attend the Patron’s Lunch Parade in London on Sunday to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.
Since joining Battersea in 2010, Chris McLean from Surbiton has transformed the lives of many anxious and abused dogs.
Her dedication to the charity has grown year-on-year, and her volunteering activities now include spreading responsible messages in London’s hard to reach communities.
Staff and fellow volunteers regard Chris as one of Battersea’s most respected and trusted volunteers. For this reason, she will join thousands of charity supporters on the Mall in London to mark the Queen’s birthday.
Battersea’s head of volunteering Charlotte Fielder explains why Chris stands out among Battersea’s 1,200 active volunteers:
“The patience, compassion and joy Chris displays in any task given is truly inspirational. She is a trusted representative of the Home and takes on dogs when no one else can to change their lives.
“It’s Chris we immediately think of whenever we have a vulnerable or traumatised dog in need of additional care and nurturing – she really is a life saver for these dogs. We hope she always knows how grateful we are of her dedication to Battersea.”
The Patron’s Lunch celebrates the Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations.
Others representing Battersea include Claire Horton, veterinary director Shaun Opperman, and acting volunteer manager Mike Puddy.
The celebrations on the day will include a 1,500-strong parade, in which around 20 Battersea volunteers and staff members are taking part.
Members of the public can watch the entertainment parade and the day’s Royal proceedings either live on BBC One or via live screenings in nearby St James’s Park or Green Park.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
