Nine Surrey volunteer groups honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2024

The volunteers from nine Surrey groups, who dedicate their valuable time and experience to help individuals and communities across this county, have been rewarded with the prestigious 2024 King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS). This is announced on HM The Kings Birthday – 14th November. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

Welcoming the announcement, HM Lord-Lieutenant congratulated the winning groups and highlighted the outstanding contribution made by these volunteers, who this year represent all ages, ethnicities and diversity across our local communities. The nine groups are among the 262 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award, across the country. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways in which fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.

The Lord-Lieutenant commented: “The work that these groups do for the benefit of their local community and across this county is quite outstanding.  And across both groups, if it were not for the volunteers’ tireless work and commitment – and the dedication to the good of others which they represent – the services they provide would not happen. I am delighted that these extraordinary contributions to the welfare of the people of Surrey have been recognised nationally.”

The volunteer groups honoured with the 2024 King’s Award for Voluntary Service are from:

Manorcroft United Junior Football Club

Fostering community unity through football striving to “Unite, Develop, Progress”

Surrey Hills Community Radio

A community radio embracing inclusivity and flexibility, uniting diverse voices through dynamic and varied programming.

Addlestone Canoe Club

Providing safe, fun and educational paddle sport activities to young people in the community.

Big Leaf Foundation

Working to combat social isolation and improve opportunities for displaced young people in Surrey.

Farnham Repair Cafe

Extending life of products, reducing landfill, delivering environmental and social benefits to the community.

The Revelaires

A Unique group taking free musical variety shows to diverse communities across Surrey since 1953.

Spelthorne Litter Pickers

Brings residents together to make a clean and welcoming place, building a sense of community.

The Tice’s Meadow Bird Group

Managing Tice’s Meadow, providing volunteering opportunities, educating and helping people engage with nature.

Renewed Hope Trust

Providing practical and personal support to homeless, vulnerable and isolated people in East Surrey.

The Award itself – a certificate signed by The King, and a domed crystal will be presented to each winning group over the coming months by the Lord-Lieutenant or a representative Deputy Lieutenant, on behalf of HM The King.

In addition, two volunteers from each group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2024, along with other national recipients of this year’s Award.

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Mrs Mary Creswell, chairs the county’s KAVS Local Panel, which is made-up of experienced assessors. They interviewed every nominated group remotely between December 2023  and March 2024 before sending their findings to the National Award Committee, which makes the final recommendations to the Cabinet Office and ultimately to HM The King.

Following the announcement of this year’s winners, Mrs Creswell extended an invitation to Surrey residents to nominate groups of deserving volunteers for The King’s Awards for Voluntary Service 2025. Full details of how to proceed and a nomination form are available online at: https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/