Health worker gets designer shirt for Royal garden party

Sydney Bragg was invited to the event after being nominated by his patients and members of his local community whom he has helped through his voluntary work.

Mr Bragg, who works as a cardiovascular rehabilitation support worker at Bradford and Airedale Community Health Services, said: "I can't believe this is happening to me, it's such a wonderful opportunity, and my wife has even made me buy a new suit. I would have been quite happy with one from the charity shop but she insisted on a designer one."

Mr Bragg became a rehabilitation support worker for the cardiovascular rehabilitation service at Eccleshill Clinic in Bradford in 2002, some years after being treated there as a patient.

"I was so impressed by the service and care I received while being a patient at the Eccleshill clinic that I asked if I could volunteer and they gave me a job instead," he said. "I went on to complete a degree in mechanical movements and a Masters in muscles, in relation to mobility, and I have been at Eccleshill ever since."

The Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to attend the Royal Garden Party on June 22.

But the grand occasion will not be Mr Bragg's first brush with royalty.

He was awarded a Military Medal by Prince Charles in 1999, for his 16 years of service and his time in a prisoner of war camp during the Korean War.

Nancy O'Neill, chief operating officer at Bradford and Airedale Community Health Services, said the service was proud of Mr Bragg's work.

"Sydney is a valued and dedicated member of staff. His personal relationship with both his patients and those he has helped through his voluntary work has been enhanced by his own experience of heart problems. We are very proud of his achievements and his work at Eccleshill cardiovascular rehabilitation service."

Mr Bragg's wife will not be attending the garden party with him; instead he will be taking his daughter who works as a nurse manager at Oldham General Infirmary.