These Shropshire volunteer groups are to get Queen Awards
It is another ‘top of the tree’ moment for Shropshire, with seven coveted Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service announced this weekend.
The Queen’s Award is the highest honour given to volunteer groups across the UK.
Through the county from north to south, the dedicated service of many volunteers is once again honoured.
They include:
Church Stretton Good Neighbour’s Care Group, which supports older people to continue living independent lives at home. It provides a personal driver service for hospital appointments as well as a meals-on-wheels service and three lunch clubs.
The Churchyard Task Team, which inspires communities and volunteers to manage burial grounds in Shropshire for conservation. Focussing on wildlife, heritage and local significance, the group runs work parties using traditional conservation management techniques including walling and scything.
Knockin and Kinnerley Cricket Club, where members are truly inclusive in fostering teamwork, respect, discipline, sportsmanship and enjoyment, the rural club is committed to supporting people of all ages, genders, abilities and those with disabilities.
Shrewsbury Street Pastors, who are there when often no-one else may be. All night, the Christian volunteers care for young people, keeping them safe and leaving police and ambulance services free to deal with emergencies.
Shropshire and Staffordshire Blood Bikes, which is a 100 per cent volunteer service providing free and often urgent transport of blood and other medical samples by advanced, qualified motorcyclists to trusts and hospices in Shropshire, Staffordshire and parts of Cheshire.
British Police Symphony Orchestra, which is well known and well loved in the county. After 28 years, members of the group bear substantial personal costs to make their music as one of the UK’s best non-professional orchestras. Around 70 musicians converge for a weekend’s rehearsal every month.
The Friendly Transport Service (Shropshire), which plays a vital role in helping those in rural communities keep their independence, attend social activities and keep important appointments.
Each of the groups will receive their special award from Lord Lieutenant Sir Algernon Heber-Percy.
He said he was delighted at the news, which was by tradition published in the London Gazette.
Each organisation is also asked to select a member from their group for a special visit to a Buckingham Palace garden party
The unique national honour was created by Her Majesty in 2002 to mark her Golden Jubilee and to recognise the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups of volunteers. It has the same status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals.
