Local charities across Somerset are celebrating after winning the King’s Award for voluntary service.
Groups in Paulton, Frome, Wells, as well as the team behind the Strawberry Line Society and a group running a camp for children from deprived areas of Bristol, have all been honoured.
The KAVS is the highest award given to voluntary groups in the UK, and is seen as equivalent to an individual winning an MBE. It celebrates and recognises the outstanding work done by charities.
Fair Frome has evolved from a food bank set up in 2014 to a full out-of-hours service for those needing help.
Pride in Paulton has a group of volunteers at its core - and every week they clear rubble, weeds, tidy gardens and do watering to give renewed hope and pride to an area that has seen huge industrial decline.
The Strawberry Line Society is a community asset, with a team of volunteers restoring the former Cheddar Valley railway line, creating a 20-mile route enjoyed by disabled and able-bodied walkers and cyclists.
The Wells Festival of Literature has been growing for more than 30 years, and is one of only a few festivals in the country led and run entirely by volunteers.
Avalon Camps takes youngsters from deprived area of Bristol to summer camps on the Somerset Levels.
The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Justin Sargent, oversees the nomination process in the county. He said: “I am delighted these groups have received the highest recognition. They are very different organisations, but they all show the extraordinary impact small groups of volunteers can have, making Somerset a better place for everyone. I congratulate them all.”
Lenka Grimes from Fair Frome said they were “delighted” to be honoured by the King. “Our volunteers enable us to fulfil the charity’s work, and they are at the heart of everything we do.”
Meanwhile, Gail Garlick, secretary of the Pride in Paulton Partnership PiP said: “We are all absolutely thrilled to be recognised for our contribution to the place we love. We are a little group in a small village. To be acknowledged by the King is just amazing.”
Mick Fletcher from The Starwberry Line Society added: “We were delighted when we heard that we were to receive the King’s award for voluntary service. It is public recognition of the work of so many volunteers who over the years have helped to make the Strawberry Line the well-used and highly valued community service that it is today.”
Richard Manning from the Wells Festival of Literature told us: “The Award is a very great honour and a wonderful tribute to all the volunteers who have worked to achieve the Festival’s aims in its 34 years. We are indebted to our many supporters.”
Recipientswill be presented their KAVS crystal and certificate by the Lord-Lieutenant.
Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the Award shines a light on the work of voluntary groups across the UK.