Twelve Surrey groups have received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. Below is a press release from the Queen’s representative in Surrey, Dame Sarah Goad DCVO JP.

Record number of 12 Surrey groups win the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2015

The UK winners of the 2015 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service are announced on 2nd June 2015, the anniversary of HM The Queen’s Coronation.

A record number of 12 voluntary groups from across Surrey have had their outstanding contributions recognised and receive this prestigious UK honour, which sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering. It is the equivalent of the MBE for groups of volunteers who work in their local community for the benefit of others.

The awards this year recognise many hundreds of dedicated Surrey volunteers. They work variously with life-limited children and adults, and with individuals who have profound disabilities; volunteers restoring the environment, and bringing rural and local history alive; those who support people recovering from addiction or individuals who become vulnerable on the streets at night; and volunteers who provide support for the elderly or vulnerable in their community, or keep a village shop thriving and open for business.

The victorious Surrey volunteers work with the following 12 groups:

• Cherry Trees, East Clandon http://www.cherry-trees.co.uk

• Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust http://www.cobhamheritage.org.uk

• Guildford Street Angels http://www.gtcc.org.uk/street-angels/

• Hambledon Village Shop http://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/shop/village-shop.html

• Haslemere Educational Museum http://www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk

• Limbcare, Camberley http://www.limbcare.org

• SAdAS (renamed Catalyst 06.15), Guildford http://www.catalystsupport.org.uk

• Surrey Dolphins Swimobility, Woking http://www.surreydolphins.org.uk

• The Brigitte Trust, Dorking http://www.brigittetrust.org

• The Rural Life Centre/Old Kiln Museum Trust, Tilford http://www.rural-life.org.uk

• West Horsley Wheel of Care http://www.westhorsleywheelofcare.co.uk

• Holy Cross Hospital, Haslemere http://www.holycross.org.uk

These Surrey groups each receive a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service certificate signed by HM The Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal. These will be presented by Her Majesty’s representative in Surrey, the Lord-Lieutenant Dame Sarah Goad DCVO JP, at a series of special ceremonies. The groups have already been invited to send representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace this spring.

Dame Sarah Goad comments: “This is the highest-ever number of Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service to be awarded in our county since the annual award was created in 2002. Together, the groups reflect extraordinary levels of volunteering and selfless contributions that make a real difference in their communities, and they deserve our gratitude and congratulations.

“These groups and organisations are the key to inspiring others – across Surrey – to get involved in volunteering and make a difference in their communities,” she adds. “We want to encourage even more nominations in Surrey for Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service in 2016. So if you know an inspiring voluntary group, please visit https://www.gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service to find out how to nominate.”