TA volunteer's thank-you is fit for royalty

A TERRITORIAL Army volunteer has taken his boss to a Buckingham Palace reception to thank him.

NHS Lothian employee Neil Feltham, who works at the Cowgate Clinic, wanted to recognise the co-operation of health and homelessness co-ordinator Iain Smith.

Some people in the TA find managers awkward when it comes to being given time off if they are called up to serve. This wasn't the case with Mr Smith.

Mr Feltham said: "It can be quite a difficult period, as you only get 28 days' notice that you are being mobilised and to basically put your life in order.

"Iain was really supportive and reassuring during that time."

Tim Corry, director of Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers, said: "Employers attending the garden party supported their reservist employees in a variety of ways – from enabling them to work more flexibly so they can fulfil their training commitments to supporting them while they were mobilised."