Volunteer cheer as local groups have been awarded with a national Queens Award

Five local charity groups have been awarded a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) for their outstanding work during the Platinum Jubilee.

The Attic Project, Bury2gether, Corrie Gardeners Community Group, Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force (Hawkshaw), and Rammy Men have all been given this award, with a quarter of all the award winners from Greater Manchester coming from Bury.

Created in 2002 for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the Queen’s Awards have been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups for two decades now. Equivalent to an MBE, QAVS are the highest awards given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.

Emma from Bury2gether said: “We would like to thank all our incredible volunteers past and present for their tireless work, which has led to being honoured with the Queen’s Award for voluntary service. This award is dedicated to you all.

“Our amazing group of volunteers give up their time to sit on strategic boards for SEND with the Local Authority and Health.

“They also run engagement and social events for families, all whilst caring for their own children with additional needs. During the pandemic, we raised funds for and delivered seasonal activity packs to help keep families connected and children entertained.

“We want to say a huge thank you to our nominees, giving special thanks to the incredible late Dawn Fidler, who we know nominated us for this award.

“Dawn Fidler is best known for her Charity work supporting children with brain tumours, namely ‘The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity’, in remembrance of her son (Super Josh), who sadly died of a brain tumour in 2014. Her generosity to others is inspirational, and fitting with this voluntary award.”

Councillor Richard Gold, cabinet member for finance and communities, said: “I’m delighted that the volunteers of these five local organisations have been recognised through the Queen’s Award. We’ve seen countless examples of the amazing work these organisations provide: from supporting positive wellbeing, games sessions, music, to befriending, peer support and foodbank provision, these groups epitomise Bury’s Let’s Do It! approach.

“I’d also like to extend our thanks, as a borough, to the thousands of volunteers who, day in day out, support people across our neighbourhoods. The recent State of the Sector survey estimates that there are more than 26,000 people in our borough who volunteer a total of 130,000 hours per week.”

If you’re feeling inspired to volunteer, the Bury Voluntary and Community Faith Alliance (Bury VCFA) can provide information and support to help you get involved.

An information session will be held at Morrisons Whitefield on Wednesday 9th June between 12pm & 3pm. 

Full information at can be found here: https://www.buryvcfa.org.uk/volunteering/volunteering-bulletin/

Nominations are also open for the 2023 awards. To nominate a local group, go to https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/make-a-nomination/about-nominating/