Eight organisations from Staffordshire have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in this year’s honours.
The prestigious accolade recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups, charities and organisations, who benefit their local communities.
It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and following his accession, His Majesty King Charles III emphasised his desire to continue the award.
The winners are:
- Burton HOPE, Burton-upon-Trent
- The Jill Clewes Academy for Theatre Arts, Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Just Family CIC, Stoke-on-Trent
- AEDdonate, Stone
- Home-Start in Tamworth
- Ruff & Ruby Urban Youth Charity, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
- Friends of the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove, Kings Bromley
- The Marsh Recreation Ground and Community Centre Trust, Kinver
A further Daily Focus story on one of the winners – Ruff & Ruby – can be read here.
In the coming months, the groups will receive their certificates signed by His Majesty The King, along with an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr Ian Dudson CBE KStJ.
Representatives from the groups will also receive an invitation to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Mr Dudson said: “I am delighted that we have eight more winners again this year.
“This year’s winners are shining examples of the hundreds of organisations in this County, whose volunteers improve the lives of others in our communities.
“We are extremely grateful to them all. I send the winners my warmest congratulations and look forward to being able to present their awards to each of them later in the year.”
A total of 262 UK volunteering groups have been honoured as recipients of the award. Winners are announced each year on 14 November – the King’s birthday.
To date, 113 groups from Staffordshire have now received this annual award since it was created.
Further details on this year’s award winners and information on how to nominate are available on The Kings Award website.
