Volunteers' pride at King's Award honours

An independent lifeboat and food redistribution charity are among those in the south of England who have received the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) recognises a variety of volunteer-led organisations in areas including mental health support, youth services, environmental projects and community initiatives.

Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) was involved in almost 100 rescues off the Hampshire coast last year and chair Joanne Young said its volunteers were "incredibly proud" at being awarded the honour.

The Share Wokingham charity was also recognised for its work redistributing surplus food to more than 2,000 individuals across Berkshire each week.

The award was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee and is equivalent to an MBE.

GAFIRS was founded in 1969, to provide an emergency lifeboat service covering the eastern Solent and Portsmouth Harbour.

It is independent of the RNLI, with volunteers available to be called out by HM Coastguard 24 hours a day. They were involved in 96 incidents in 2025.

Young said the award was a "huge honour" for the volunteers, adding: "We have many members who have worked their way up through the service after starting as teenagers with GAFIRS.

"Even today, this is a vital part of our organisation."

More than 250 groups across the UK received the award, with representatives from each organisation invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year.

Wokingham Share was set up in 2020 as a food-sharing project for those facing hardship during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It expanded after the pandemic to redistribute donations from catering companies, supermarkets and bakeries to those in need during the cost-of-living crisis.

Announcing its award, the Berkshire Lieutenancy said: "Their work reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them."

Among the environmental groups recognised, the Cuttle Brook Conservation Volunteers in Oxfordshire also received the award for their efforts to improve Thame's local nature reserve.

The volunteers have improved access, maintained boardwalks and protected reedbeds on the site.

Bicester Autism also received the KAVS for its work supporting parents and carers who have family members with autism or ADHD.

In a social media post, it said: "It is a tremendous honour and a wonderful recognition of the dedication, compassion and hard work of our amazing volunteers.

"We are also incredibly grateful to the families who put their trust in us, our supporters, funders and everyone who has helped us along the way."

Dorset charity Mosaic, which supports more than 400 children who have suffered bereavement, said it was "so proud" to also receive the honour.

Fifty-two volunteers provide specialist counselling and events such as bereavement cafés and day camps to support young people who have experienced the loss of someone close.

Chief executive Jo Revill said: "This award is a testament to how they have committed to helping us improve the lives of children and young people right across the county."