Oxford,
02
June
2020
|
07:59
Europe/London

Oxfordshire Winners of Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS)

The Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson OBE has announced that three groups of volunteers in Oxfordshire have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The volunteer groups are:-

  • National Trails Thames Path and Ridgeway Volunteers whose role is to monitor and maintain these two national trails for the benefit of millions of walkers, cyclists, horse riders and river users.
  • Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Northampton (SERV OBN) whose role is to provide an express out of hours delivery service of blood, specimens and milk, supporting the NHS and its patients in the four counties.
  • Sinodun Players and Corn Exchange Wallingford whose role is to run not only an amateur dramatic group but also a centre for community arts and entertainment.

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen's coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups. Only 230 awards have been made nationally this year.

Representatives of each group will receive the award from Tim Stevenson OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire later this summer. Furthermore two volunteers from each group will attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

Tim Stevenson said: "I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of these groups has been recognised by this prestigious award. “

Any group doing volunteer work that provides a social, economic or environmental service to the local community can be nominated for the award. Each group is assessed on the benefit it brings to the local community and its standing within that community.

Anyone wishing to nominate a group for the award next year should visit www.qavs.culture.gov.uk and complete the on-line form. Submissions need to be received no later than 25th September.

 

 

 

 

Note to editors:

For further information or details about the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service please contact Brian Crossland DL on brian.crossland@ntlworld.com or through Kirsty Colquhoun, PA to the Lord Lieutenant on 01865 515477 or office@stevenson-oxford.co.uk