Six Cornish voluntary groups have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The awards are announced today (Nov 14), the king’s birthday.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, equivalent to an MBE and 2024 sees the largest number of awards made to voluntary groups or charities in Cornwall over the last 12 years.
The six trail blazing voluntary groups are: Operation Encompass (Saltash), Young Generation Theatre (Falmouth), Walker Lines Gymnasium Trust (Bodmin), Holywell Bay Surf Lifesaving Club (Newquay), Squires Field Community Centre (Fowey) and Wadebridge Foodbank & Storehouse.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty The King emphasised his wish to continue the award.
Commenting on Cornwall’s success, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, said: “I am delighted and proud to see six of Cornwall’s finest voluntary groups recognised with these awards. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest accolade any voluntary group can receive, given to those local voluntary groups that are truly outstanding and which break new ground at a local and sometimes national level.
“Cornwall’s voluntary sector delivers invaluable support to our communities, selflessly, compassionately and with huge energy, reaching out to everyone in need. These six winners reflect the tremendous range and reach of the sector and this national recognition is hugely well deserved. My congratulations and thanks to our six exceptional winners; I salute you all!”
Representatives of the groups will receive the crystal award and certificate from Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho over the next few months. In addition, two volunteers from each group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year, along with other recipients of this year’s award.
