3 Shropshire groups awarded Queen's Award For Voluntary Service

Press release from Shropshire Lieutenancy Office - 19 June 2007

Three Shropshire groups awarded The Queen's Award For Voluntary Service

Three Shropshire groups have been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2007. The successful groups are:-

- The St George’s Recreation Ground and Public Hall
- The Newport Cottage Care Centre Trust
- The Donnington Wood Community Café.

The three winners make up half of the six awards given across the West Midlands.

Algernon Heber-Percy, the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, said “I am delighted that three organisations in the county have been awarded The Queen's Award For Voluntary Service. It is a wonderful tribute to all of the volunteers that their efforts have been recognised by this very prestigious award.”

The Lord Lieutenant will present each of the groups with their award at presentation ceremonies to be arranged in July. Anyone wanting to learn more about The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service can visit the website, www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk (link on this page) or by calling 0845 000 2002.

The St George’s Recreation Ground and Public Hall provides various sport facilities at no cost to Telford & Wrekin Council. The group was set up because of the need for the local hard-working community of miners, colliers, quarrymen and steel workers to have somewhere to play sport. The group trained people who went on to attend the Olympics abroad. It has raised large sums of money for the refurbishment and modernisation of the grounds. The group is exceptional because it has adapted to the needs of its community, but has always kept sporting excellence and the opportunity for people to participate in a range of sports and community events.

For further information about this group please contact Ashley Smith on (01952) 612911, (01952) 613383 or (01902) 375832.

The Donnington Wood Community Café provides a lifelong learning centre to try to help local people learn new skills and increase self confidence. Volunteers work hard to produce homemade food and focus on providing healthy options. It was set up to tackle social deprivation. The café helps volunteers to gain access to adult courses and employment. It is exceptional because it is warm and friendly, open to all, non-judgemental and offers a professional service.

For further information about this group please contact Mrs Rose Gregory on (01952) 382202.

The Newport Cottage Care Centre Trust provides day care facilities for older people in the community. The volunteers support the group by fundraising, running the trust, entertaining and supporting older people. The day centre was set up after the close of the cottage hospital and the lack of transport in the area. The group enables a variety of activities to operate from the trust.

For further information about this group please contact Derek Tremayne on (01952) 825279 or (01952) 820893.

About The Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service

To celebrate her Golden Jubilee in 2002, The Queen announced a new annual UK National Honour to recognise and reward excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community. The Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement by groups of two or more people in the United Kingdom, who volunteer their own time to enhance and improve the quality of life and opportunity for individuals or other groups in the community.

Successful groups will receive a certificate signed by The Queen. They will also receive a commemorative piece of crystal for display at their main place of operation.

ENDS

Issued by Martin Stevens, Assistant Clerk to Shropshire Lieutenancy, on (01743) 252722.