A YOUNG charity walker from Tiverton will be sitting down for lunch with the Royal Family as part of landmark celebration.

Ollie Barnett, from Tiverton, has been selected as of one of the youth hostelling charity YHA’s special guests at the iconic Patron’s Lunch street party being held in London on Sunday.

He is one of only 10 employees and volunteers, all aged under 26, from the youth hostelling charity YHA (England and Wales) who have been selected to attend the massive street party which is taking place on The Mall in St James’s Park in London.

More than 10,000 people will be at the invite-only street party, which is being held to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

Young staff and volunteers from the charity were nominated by employees to attend the party and Ollie, was nominated by YHA Youth Engagement Coordinator Kate Lansley.

She said: “Ollie is my idea of a true brand/charity champion for YHA.

"He gets involved in so many different events and projects, and he is always enthusiastic and full of ideas.

"He’s a really valued volunteer and supporter.

"The Patron’s Lunch is a wonderful way to recognise his immense effort and time.”

Ollie, who works for a parcel courier company, started volunteering with YHA when he was 16 after seeing a volunteering opportunity advertised on Facebook.

He has since helped out with a number of YHA events and projects around the country including the Supporter Exchange in Cardiff and Take Over Day at YHA’s head office in Matlock, Derbyshire. He credits his YHA volunteering with helping him to discover the UK.

He said: “I am really excited and proud to be attending the Patron’s Lunch with YHA.

"The fact I am only one of 10 people chosen makes it really special.”

At the lunch Ollie, along with nine other YHA young people, will enjoy a hamper-style lunch at tables positioned along the full length of The Mall. Her Majesty The Queen will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family to celebrate the occasion.

Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry will reside as Joint-Presidents of The Patron’s Lunch.

The Queen has been a patron of YHA (England and Wales) since 1959. The Patronage was inherited from her father, King George VI, on her Accession. In 2013 The Queen officially opened YHA South Downs, a 64-bed, £3 million Youth Hostel in Beddingham, near Lewes in East Sussex,

Caroline White, Chief Executive of YHA (England and Wales) will also be attending the Patron’s Lunch herself later this month.

She said: “As a charity The Queen’s patronage is hugely beneficial to us and we are all delighted to be able to attend the lunch and celebrate her milestone birthday with Her Majesty. It’s a wonderful opportunity for YHA to recognise the work of its staff and volunteers.

"Without them we would not be able to continue to give the memorable experiences we do to thousands of young people and their families each year.”