Shropshire volunteer groups celebrate as they are named in King's Awards

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service celebrates and promotes the tireless work of those who help others in their communities - it is the highest-level accolade for volunteer groups and is the equivalent of an MBE. This year, 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups who support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee, and was continued following the accession of King Charles III in 2022.

The award honours work that is recognised as bringing clear benefits to the community across a range of areas, such as culture, heritage, wellbeing, and social support. Organisations presented with the award will receive a certificate and trophy to proudly display.

This year, eight Shropshire groups have been given the award, including Shrewsbury & Oswestry Crucial Crew, The Albrighton Trust, Shrewsbury Up & Comers FC, Cruckton & District Ploughing and Hedging Society, Oswestry Borderland Tourism Ltd (Visit Oswestry), Shropshire Beekeepers Association, Sustainable Newport and Telford & Wrekin Interfaith Council.

Shrewsbury Up and Comers FC are the first football club in Shropshire to receive the award. A spokesperson for the club committee said: "This is not only recognition of the incredible dedication of our 200 plus club volunteers but also celebrates the hard work of volunteers at grassroots football clubs throughout Shropshire.

"This achievement marks us as a nationally recognised, well-managed voluntary football club, and we're delighted to now display the King's crown on our website and social media. 

"A heartfelt thank you to each of you for your tireless efforts and dedication to support our community and giving local children the opportunity to play a sport they love. Without you, may of these young players would not have this chance."

Visit Oswestry has been working with volunteers to promote the Shropshire town and the borderlands as a great place to visit for more than 40 years as well as running Oswestry’s Tourist Information Centre in the town market. It also creates the Oswestry Tourism Ambassador Scheme that prints more than 50,000 free town maps.

Chairman Lee Lucks said: “I am so thrilled that our group’s work has been recognised with the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. Many people will be surprised that Oswestry Borderland Tourism is a volunteer-led organisation.

"All the board directors are volunteers, and we also have an enthusiastic group of volunteers who take the popular guided walks around Oswestry and help out in the Tourist Information Centre."

Vice chairman Graham Mitchell added: "We believe that we are the only tourism organisation to be recognised with the award. We are delighted that the work we do to bring new visitors and support local businesses has been recognised. Oswestry is such a great place to visit and our aim is to bring a wealth of new and returning visitors in years to come."

Sustainable Newport has been pioneering innovative public engagement regarding recycling and climate change since its inception in 2009.  

Speaking about the Newport group, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner said: "Without doubt, you are making such a difference to the knowledge and solutions for people to live in a more sustainable and climate-friendly way."

Simone Whitfield, chair of Sustainable Newport, said: “I’m so grateful for all our volunteers who give their time towards supporting the activities of Sustainable Newport.

"It was a wonderful surprise when we were nominated, and writing up the documents on what our collective impact has been on the community over the years highlighted the importance of our work. 

"We’re always happy to welcome new volunteers and are open to collaboration opportunities to enable our sustainable future."