Student volunteer to meet Queen

Abigail Zurawski has volunteered for two years

A north Wales teenager who has clocked up 200 hours volunteering has been formally invited to meet the Queen.

Abigail Zurawski is the only youngster from Denbighshire who has been asked to attend Her Majesty's garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Abigail will meet the Queen

The 17-year-old has won recognition from the Millennium Volunteer scheme - a UK wide project for 16 to 24-year-olds - after she volunteered her spare time.

"I worked at the British Red Cross shop in Rhyl, working on the till, and I helped with Theatre in the Community," she said.

The teenager added: "I have always done little things like sponsored walks and I thought this was a good opportunity.

"You learn new skills and you feel good about helping someone else."

As a reward, she will travel to London with her mum for the event on 16 July.

If you ever do anything wrong everyone knows about it but if you do anything good hardly anybody knows

Abigail Zurawski

The youngster from Meliden is revising for her forthcoming exams at Prestatyn High School.

Abigail is studying AS chemistry and travel and tourism but hopes to carve a career in interior design.

"I will study at Llysfasi or Yale college next year but I will carry on volunteering.

"I am waiting to hear from the Red Cross to see if I can enrol on their first aid course."

She added: "I think it's important for youngsters to take part in voluntary work.

"If you ever do anything wrong everyone knows about it but if you do anything good hardly anybody knows."