Volunteer charities 'honoured' by King's awards

Volunteers from charities across the West say they are "honoured" to be given a prestigious King's Award for Voluntary Service - a charity equivalent of an MBE.

CASS & Friends in Gloucestershire, which provides financial aid and coaching to young athletes, has been praised for its outstanding work in supporting the community.

Wiltshire Treehouse, which helps bereaved families and children, has also been awarded along with the Strawberry Line Society in Somerset, which maintains a cycling and walking path along a disused railway line. Volunteers at the Richard Jefferies Museum in Swindon were also honoured.

"We are over the moon," said Sarah Bear from Wiltshire Treehouse.

Established in 2014, Wiltshire Treehouse supports children and families coping with bereavement through group sessions.

"As a small grassroots charity that has grown over the years, this is a truly incredible accolade and one that means so much to everyone involved," Bear said.

The King's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee and is awarded for life.

The Strawberry Line Society is made up of a group of volunteers who champion, build and maintain the Strawberry Line path, a cycling and walking way in Somerset along a disused Great Western Railway branch line.

It runs between Yatton and Cheddar, and was named Britain's favourite path during the summer in walking charity Ramblers' annual competition.

A spokesperson for the group said the award was a "huge, huge honour for all our volunteers, founders, partners and supporters past and present across historic Somerset".

Also in Somerset, Wells Festival of Literature has been awarded for its work inspiring children and adults in the community with reading, writing and ideas.

CASS & Friends was was first set up in 2015 to help young athletes across the Cotswolds financially with their training and participation in top-level sports.

"We are absolutely thrilled, honoured, and deeply grateful to receive this recognition," a charity spokesperson said.

"This award belongs entirely to our wonderful volunteers. Whether they are raising money for the grants we give to our athletes or delivering our mentoring programme, their passion, time, and unwavering dedication make our mission possible."

The Richard Jefferies Museum, based near Coate Water Country Park on the edge of Swindon, was selected in recognition of the work done by volunteers to develop it into a thriving venue.

To celebrate the award and 15 years since the charity was formed, the charity held a party with special guests including the the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Dame Sarah Troughton, the MP for South Swindon Heidi Alexander and Mayor of Swindon Neil Hopkins.

Winners can display the official King's Award logo, and will also receive a crystal certificate signed by the King.

Each charity can also send two representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2027.

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