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Recipients of Maundy Money are looking forward to the Royal service at Durham Cathedral

Published: Wednesday 9 April 2025

Recipients from across Durham, York, Wales and Scotland are preparing to attend the Royal Maundy service at Durham Cathedral on Thursday, 17 April.

During the Royal Maundy service, 152 recipients, 76 men and 76 women (signifying the age of the Monarch), will be presented by The King, with specially-minted Maundy money to thank them for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities.

Nominated and selected from the Diocese of Durham and other dioceses across the Province of York and from Wales and Scotland, the 152 recipients are preparing to attend the service at Durham Cathedral next week which will be attended by both The King and Queen.

Each recipient of Maundy money is given two small leather purses by The King, one red and one white. The first contains a small amount of ordinary coinage which symbolises the Sovereign's gift for food and clothing. The second purse contains Maundy coins up to the value of the Sovereign's age (which this year is 76p). The coins are legal tender but recipients normally prefer to retain them as a keepsake. This year the Red Purse contains a £5 coin commemorating The Queen Mother, and a 50p coin which features stories of WWII.

Royal Maundy takes place each year on the Thursday before Easter Day and is a special service in which The King expresses his gratitude for those who serve and volunteer in their communities. The service is rooted in the tradition of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet in the Upper Room the night before his death and goes back to medieval times.

Meet a few of the recipients

Sister Josepha from Sunderland

Sister Josepha has been recognised for her work with young people and families in the local community and said she was ‘honoured and humbled’ when she received the invitation. She continued,

“It is a privilege to be chosen for this special occasion and to represent my Mercy community at a service where I will be amongst likeminded faith enlightened individuals.”

Rt Rev. Stephen Wright, Bishop for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle who made the nomination for Sister Josepha said,

“Her ever-present joy, consistently inspires others, she is dedicated to the care of those in need and ever generously gives of her time. Sr. Josepha has devoted her life to supporting those in need, with a particular focus on families affected by domestic violence. She has spearheaded initiatives that empower and recognize young people, and she regularly organizes monthly trips for youth in her community to attend faith events, offering them both spiritual and personal growth.”

Graham Young from County Durham

Graham, who worships at St Andrew’s Winston, was one of the original people who established Traidcraft and then promoted Fairtrade in the UK and globally. As well as this work he was nominated for his local work with Northern Heartlands, supporting communities across Teesdale and Weardale. When asked about his invitation to receive Maundy Money he said,

“Working in the service of communities locally and worldwide has been a way of life for me. Meeting the King has not! I’m honoured to have been nominated and humbly accept.”

Graham was nominated by a representative from the Durham Dales Deanery who said,

“Amongst many other things, in retirement Graham has chaired The Heart of Teesdale Landscape Project and then the Northern Heartlands project: both projects have sought to bring together landowners, farmers, philosophers, artists and communities in an appreciation of ‘place’"

Anne Johnson from Hartlepool

Anne is dedicated to connecting isolated local communities and groups to church initiatives, and was ‘delighted and proud’ when she was invited to the service in January earlier this year.

She said, “It is a huge honour to receive this precious gift and participate in this ancient tradition”

Anne, who has been pivotal in linking church with community activities in particular with those who are vulnerable, isolated or sick, has also recently been encouraging local schools and Guides, Scouts and Cubs to get involved with Eco work in the churchyard. She was nominated by a representative from the Hartlepool Deanery who said,

“Anne works tirelessly to make church the centre of local community. People turn to her for her knowledge of local history, the church and local community. She also offers a warm welcome to people into church understanding that a welcome does not stop at the initial greeting.”

Isabel Rossall from Crook

Isabel Rossall is the Church organist at St Paul’s Hunwick, and has been for at least 20 years. She is also acting as Deanery Synod Rep. Isabel feels 'honored' at being invited to the Royal Maundy service and added,

"The work I do is a calling through prayer and so my work is as a servant to children of our heavenly Father."

The representative she was nominated by at Hartlepool Deanery said,

"Isabel has been doing voluntary work with Refugees and Asylum seekers for at least 20 years, over in Stockton. She has regularly had people who were homeless staying at her house. Speaking to one of those she cared for a good while ago on Christmas day when I took the service there, he said that she is still regularly spending 2 or 3 days a week over in Stockton helping out, advising, and supporting those claiming asylum in the area."

Ken Robson from Darlington

Ken has been recognised for his hard work in his local community. He said,

"It is a huge honour to be nominated to receive Maundy Money. Many people in our local area work tirelessly for our community. I feel honoured and humbled to receive this nomination."

Among other work, he volunteers with the foodbank at St Andrew’s, often collecting food and other goods for the foodbank or on occasions delivering to where items are most needed.

Ken was nominated by a representative from the Darlington Deanery who said,

"Prior to Covid he helped run a men’s group called 'Men Meet' arranging regular monthly gatherings for men to share together, eat together and listen to interesting speakers. This group of men continue to meet and organise special events to link with men on the fringes of St Andrew’s. Ken also carries out many practical tasks looking after the church grounds and property, as well as regularly transporting those who need lifts to various places."

Diane Evans from Darlington

Diane who supports many events, activities and initiatives in her local church community, was surprised by her nomination. She said,

"The nomination for this honour was totally unexpected, I was surprised and I feel humbled and delighted on behalf of my church community."

The representative from the Darlington Deanery who nominated Diane said,

"She works tirelessly for the community on behalf of the church, showing both enthusiasm and compassion. This includes supporting the Guiding movement, helping at Holiday clubs for local children, managing Willow Road Community Centre as a centre and resource for local community, supporting Age UK lunches, Coffee drop-ins for church and community, organising Church fairs, and much, much more!"

Eric Hepplewhite from Lanchester

Eric, who is a member of Lanchester Methodist Church and has served in many roles within the church, said of the upcoming service,

"I am honoured and privileged to be taking part in the Maundy Service at such an iconic building as Durham Cathedral and to be one of the nominated recipients to receive Maundy Money from the King. It will be something I will remember and treasure for the rest of my life."

Eric was nominated by Jona Sewell also from Lanchester Methodist Church who said,

"Eric has been at the heart of the community: as the organiser of the amazing ceramic poppy-making for the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1; as co-ordinator of the local flood emergency action group; as a local councillor; as co-ordinator of local Protection for Rural England activities; and Captain of Boys' Brigade."

Find out more about Royal Maundy

Royal Maundy Service to take place at Durham Cathedral this April

We're delighted to announce that The King and Queen will be attending Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral on Thursday 17 April 2025.

Volunteer flower arrangers at Durham Cathedral prepare colourful displays for The King and Queen.

Long-standing volunteers are working with Floral Designer and Flower Farmer Deborah Simpson Boston to create spectacular flower arrangements to decorate Durham Cathedral for the Royal Maundy Service on Thursday 17 April.

Maundy Thursday at Durham Cathedral

Maundy Thursday is the day when Christians remember the Last Supper, when Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples before being betrayed and arrested, and this year, Durham Cathedral is blessed to host Royal Maundy Service special service.