A LUCKY Didcot resident represented Oxfordshire learning disability charity Style Acre at a reception attended by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

Rachel Knapp was selected to attend the event marking the 60th anniversary of charitable trust Garfield Weston, which featured a speech from the Prince of Wales.

Ms Knapp, 26, attends events and undertakes public speaking for the charity as part of her role as a Style Acre ambassador, but said she was thrilled at this opportunity.

She said: “I felt very, very proud to be chosen to represent Style Acre at Buckingham Palace.

“I’ve always wanted to go there and this was the first time I’ve been.

“Thank you Style Acre for making this possible.”

The organisation was one of 150 charities out of the 1,900 supported by Garfield Weston that were chosen for the event on Monday.

Since 2010 the trust has donated £80,000 to Style Acre, including £50,000 for a new day hub in Banbury in 2013.

Garfield Weston also gave a £10,000 grant towards the Style Acre tearoom in Blewbury, where Ms Knapp has performed supported work for seven years.

On Monday evenings she works at Didcot Coronet Bingo after completing a vocational course with Style Acre and is part of the charity’s dance troupe and choir.

Ms Knapp was accompanied to the palace by Style Acre chief executive Chris Ingram, who paid tribute to Garfield Weston’s vital contribution to the charity.

He said: “We were truly honoured and humbled to be included alongside some wonderful charities who do such a range of amazing things.

“We are so grateful for Garfield Weston’s support over the years.”

In October Ms Knapp took part in Style Acre’s 100km fundraising challenge, where participants raised more than £2,000 cycling, rowing and walking across Oxfordshire over three days.

The charity supports and employs more than 300 people across Oxfordshire.