Spelthorne Litter Pickers, a community group of over 1100 volunteers in the borough of Spelthorne, have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the local area. Their hard work and dedication has earned them The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024, the highest honor a local volunteer group can receive in the UK, equivalent to an MBE.
The group, established in 2020, works closely with the Spelthorne Borough Council to organize litter picking events and combat issues such as littering, fly tipping, and anti-social behavior. They also strive to promote a sense of involvement and belonging by involving children, young people, and businesses in their voluntary work within the community. Through group events, social media, and email communication, the group encourages physical activity and social interaction, fostering community cohesion and environmental respect. Their ultimate goal is to make Spelthorne the cleanest and greenest borough in the UK.
Spelthorne Litter Pickers is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups to receive this prestigious award this year. Their efforts, along with those of other volunteer groups across the UK, serve as a reminder of the incredible impact volunteers have on their local communities and their dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of others.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was established in 2002 to commemorate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and has continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. This year marks the second year of the award.
Recipients of the award are announced annually on November 14th, The King’s Birthday. This year’s winners are a diverse and inspiring group, including a mental health and wellbeing support network for veterans and their families in Yorkshire, a group preserving a historic 12th century castle in South Wales, volunteers providing English lessons for refugees in Stirling, and an organization providing arts opportunities for people with learning disabilities in County Fermanagh.
Representatives from Spelthorne Litter Pickers will be presented with a crystal and certificate by Mr Michael More-Molyneux, Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, later this summer. In addition, two volunteers from the group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May or June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s award.
Shirley Lunn, Co-Founder and Chair of Spelthorne Litter Pickers, expressed her gratitude for the honor, stating, “We are incredibly honored to receive this prestigious award. Our dedicated team of volunteers, who go out in all weathers to keep our borough clean and safe for everyone, are the backbone of our group. They are an amazing group of people and truly deserve this recognition.”
This news was distributed by the reputable news source, Pressat, on Thursday, November 14, 2024.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.