Local groups receive Award from the Queen

Three voluntary groups from across Northern Ireland are today celebrating after the announcement of the winners of this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The Award is presented to groups of two or more volunteers who dedicate their time to helping others and making a positive contribution to their communities.

The winners of this year’s Award are Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, Crossfire Trust and Cruse Bereavement Care in Northern Ireland. The winners were picked from hundreds of entrants from across the UK and will receive a certificate and a commemorative piece of crystal from the Lord-Lieutenant for Northern Ireland, on behalf of The Queen. Members of the winning groups have also been invited to attend a garden party in July at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest honour that can be bestowed on these groups and is equivalent to an MBE. Congratulating the three groups on their win Wendy Osborne OBE, Director the Volunteer Development Agency said,

For more information on the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service or for details of how you could nominate a group for the Award go to www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk.