Members of the Shotton Walkers Team and their partners were invited to the Not Forgotten Association's (NFA) Queen's Garden Party last week, in recognition of the fundraising contributions for the NFA.

The NFA is dedicated to delivering high quality and safe recreational and entertainment activities to meet the needs of their beneficiaries, providing a caring and personal service which is fully linked in with other recovery pathways and which is underpinned by an ethos where everyone counts and is valued.

The Walkers completed the Shotton to Shotton 171-mile walk in seven days back in September, and raised more than £15,000 for their charities.

The garden party was hosted by Anne, the Princess Royal and charity's Patron, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Anne, the Princess Royal and NFA patron, at the garden party.

The event was attended by veterans from all military services whose ages ranged from people in their 20s to the over hundreds, as well as over 3,000 guests from military organisations, charities and care homes.

Members of the Shotton Walkers were thrilled to be part of the celebration.

Newly elected town councillor and walk planner, Dean Stenner, said: "We're so proud to have had the opportunity to travel to London and represent Shotton in such a positive way at Buckingham Palace. The day will last in our memories forever.

"To be recognised in such a way for our efforts was a massive compliment and reflects the importance of our contribution to the charity.

"We would like to thank to our social media team, Caitlin, Jodie and Rich in the USA who managed our website, to all the sponsors and donors and everybody who supported us during the planning and walk. We were invited to Buckingham Palace because of you all."

The Shotton Walkers and their partners at Buckingham Palace.

Fellow member Pete Dodd added: "It was such an honour to be invited along with so many of our veterans. The whole experience was quite surreal it didn't really sink in until the following day. It was great to share the experience with some amazing people."

Walker James Guy said: "It was an honour and privilege to be invited to such a prestigious event.

"The day was very humbling to be surrounded by army veterans who have fought for our country. A day that will never be forgotten."

Member Lee Stinchcomb summed it all up: "I would just say it was an honour to be asked to attend the garden party and felt amazing to be recognised for the effort that we all put in last year during the walk and all the planning it entailed.

"It was a once in a lifetime experience and one that we will all remember forever and one we will all be telling our families about in the future, very very proud day."

• The Shotton Walkers raised funds for the Not Forgotten Association (NFA) and Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - a movement against suicide.