Middleton Elderly Aid’s volunteers have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Middleton Elderly Aid is a charitable organisation and Neighbourhood Network scheme, that aims to promote independence amongst the over 60s population in Middleton and the surrounding area through a range of activities and services. They are part of the community, working for the community, promoting security and safety in the home and tackling social isolation in our area. They are Age Friendly Ambassadors and a Dementia Friendly organisation.
Middleton Elderly Aid is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and, was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Recipients are announced annually on 14 November, The King’s Birthday. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as 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 organisation providing a opportunities to engage in the arts for people with learning disabilities in County Fermanagh.
Representatives of Middleton Elderly Aid will receive the award crystal and certificate from Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire next summer. In addition, two volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
MEA’s Chief Officer, Samantha Ely, said:
“How delighted and extremely proud I am that our volunteers hard work and dedication has been recognised. Without our amazing volunteers we could not operate our social centre or charity shop. Every one of our volunteers (we have over 50) are always going that extra mile for our charity and the members we support, and for that we are extremely grateful.”
This post is based on a press release issued by Middleton Elderly Aid
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Well done to all the people involved for the great service they give to the community, a very well deserved award