A DIPLOMATIC negotiator from Dorset is to receive a Platinum Champion Award in recognition of his incredible voluntary work to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The Duchess of Cornwall has crowned 490 volunteers “Platinum Champions”, calling them “the backbone of our country”.

Among the winners is Richard Courtenay Cripwell, of Stinsford near Dorchester, who has been awarded the honour of Platinum Champion through Her Majesty the Queen’s patronage of Royal Voluntary Service, for outstanding service and dedication to Crisis and Welfare over the last 20 years.

Camilla headed a star-studded judging panel which included Alex Jones, Felicity Kendal, Gethin Jones, Myleene Klass, Ade Adepitan, Tom Read Wilson and Gyles Brandreth to select the nation’s most outstanding volunteers to mark the Queen’s Jubilee.

From a national identification of more than 200,000 eligible candidates, only 490 were handpicked to be crowned Platinum Champions.

Of those, only 70 people (one for each year of Her Majesty’s reign) in the United Kingdom have been awarded the honour of Platinum Champion for services to Crisis and Welfare.

The diplomatic negotiator is an ex Sherborne School pupil and studied peace and conflict at the United Nations University in Geneva by his personal tutor and mentor Professor Johan Galtung, the principal founder of the discipline of peace and conflict studies.

Richard works independently but is often hired by official agencies such as the police, the NHS or the Government to assist them with his expertise.

His professional expertise include: diplomatic negotiating in situations of conflict, violence and social difficulty; suicide prevention; anti-bullying initiatives; bereavement counselling; and accident and trauma management. He also has been involved in fundraising for a number of charitable causes over many years.

Richard will be presented with this prestigious award by The Duchess of Cornwall before attending the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace today, on Saturday, June 4 where he will receive a specially-designed pin and certificate signed by Camilla. Richard was invited to attend with his son Zeb as his chosen guest of honour.

Fifteen-year-old Zeb is a pupil at The Thomas Hardye School and a member of Dorchester’s Pop Club as well as local Dorset band 'Noted' and was cited as one of Richard’s 'greatest inspirations'.

The Royal Voluntary Service simply states that its chosen Platinum Champions are heroes.

In response, Richard said: "The real heroes are those who have survived their real life ordeals and tribulations yet who have emerged the other side to inspire others to recognise the true and mutual value of people helping people, knowing that life can still be wonderful and that the world is still beautiful.

"Wherever there is kindness, genuine empathy and shared respect, no difficulty nor animosity towards anything or anyone is insurmountable. Even in situations of tragedy… positive light, hope, understanding and acceptance can all be achieved in time, offering a helpful sense of resilience and closure after challenge and adversity. That is, in any situation, always a key goal”.

He added: “ I am truly humbled and honoured beyond words. Thank you to all those who have inspired me to constantly endeavour to create positive change. This honour is entirely yours and any 'medal' is absolutely for you.”

Asked for comment, Zeb said: “I am just so proud of dad for the work he does, especially when he comes home after a really stressful day and still cooks a lovely supper for us all with candles and music and lots of laughter. He’s so cool."

The Platinum Champions Awards were organised by the Royal Voluntary Service, of which the duchess is president, to celebrate the 70-year reign of the Queen, who is patron of the charity.