Nominate your favourite voluntary group for a Queen’s Award

Residents are urged to nominate their favourite local voluntary group to win the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).

This is highest award given to 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, and is likened to the equivalent of an MBE.

Ten organisations in Bury have been awarded the QAVS in the last four years. The latest success involves volunteers and staff at the Fusilier Museum, who will receive their award in August at a ceremony at Gorton Monastery.

Now is the time to put forward groups for the 2018 awards, as the deadline is for submissions is midnight on 15 September 2017.

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.

Winners receive a certificate signed by the Queen and a domed glass crystal, and representatives from the group may also be invited to attend a royal garden party. Nominations for the award are promoted by the office of the Lord Lieutenant.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Bury Council’s cabinet member for communities and safer neighbourhoods, said: “Bury is a vibrant area with many groups who do outstanding work, individuals giving their time, effort and expertise for no personal reward. I know that volunteers do their sterling work for the benefit of others but I would encourage any eligible voluntary organisation to consider entering. The benefits in terms of recognition, publicity, awareness and public support will be invaluable.”

The winners will be announced on 2 June next year.

For more details, go towww.theburydirectory.co.uk/qavs

ENDS

Press release issued: 21 July 2017.