Greater Manchester voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises have, for the fourth year running, received more Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service than any other county in the UK.
Altogether a record-breaking 26 Greater Manchester community groups have been recognised for their voluntary work, receiving this prestigious honour, which is the equivalent of getting an MBE.
Each group attended a special ceremony at Gorton Monastery on Monday 4 July to collect an engraved, commemorative crystal trophy and a certificate signed by Her Majesty the Queen presented by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Edith Conn.
Commenting on all the award winners, The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith, said: “The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a voluntary group. It is given to groups who give their time freely for the benefit of others. This unique national honour was created more than a decade ago to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubliee. Since its inception Her Majesty has given this honour to hundreds of voluntary groups around the UK. In the past four years alone, more than 70 groups in Greater Manchester have been recipients, which is an extraordinary amount and far greater than any other county in the UK.”
Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Edith Conn added: “Yet again we have a collection of very worthy winners who champion best practice in volunteering. Each one makes an exceptional contribution to their community and helps to greatly improve the lives of local people. For so many to give up their time for others is tremendous and this award is extremely well deserved. We would encourage more groups in our county to step forward and be recognised for the wonderful work they do. ”
Salford Lads Club opened in 1903 with the aim of providing working lads with positive opportunities in sports and arts. Over a century later it is still fulfilling the original vision thanks to the commitment of the volunteers. Approximately 200 young people use the club on a weekly basis and the majority come from the inner city Ordsall estate, with a mile radius of the club, with many families with very high levels of deprivation.
Anthony Groves, President of Salford Lads Club said: “The Queen’s Award recognises the team’s contributions at the very highest level. Their phenomenal work has ensured that the original vision of James and William Groves lives on today as one of the most successful and oldest, charitable youth establishments in the world.”
The Ticker Club Chairman John Phillips said: “I’m delighted that the Ticker Club volunteers have received this prestigious award and on behalf of the Club would like to thank everyone who over the years, since they were formed in 1987, has supported us in the work that we do and also thank the many members as well for supporting the charity in our fundraising efforts.
“Since the club was founded, members and supporters have raised more than £1.2 million through fundraising events and activities, this has been used to purchase vital equipment and facilities to improve the patient experience at the North West Heart Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital.”
The closing date for nominations for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2017 is 16 September 2016. For information on how to nominate a group, visit: www.manchesterlieutenancy.org or www.gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service.
The 26 Greater Manchester winners include:
24:7 Theatre Arts Network
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team
Bolton Scout Trust
Bury Speakeasy
Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline – Oldham Link
Droylsden Youth Centre
Emmaus Salford
Gorton Events Committee
Loose Change Buskers
Mossley Juniors FootballClue
Residents of Gordon Street Area & Friends of Vine Street Park
Ryecroft Hall Community Association
Salford City Radio
Salford Lads Club
The Terence O’Grady Social Club
The East Lancashire Railway
Federation of Jewish Services
Stockport Canalboat Trust for Disabled People
The Ticker Club
The University of Manchester School Governor Initiative
UK ZION (World Mission Society Church of God)
Urban Outreach Bolton
Willow Wood Hospice
Leigh Well Women Centre
Xplode Magazine
You Can Community Club
