The King's Award for Voluntary Service
The Queens's Award, now known as the King's Award, for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen's coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups. Any group doing volunteer work that provides a social, economic or environmental service to the local community can be nominated for the award. Each group is assessed by the Lieutenancy on the benefit it brings to the local community and its standing within that community.
In 2023 Warwickshire had six winners of the award.
View QAVS Winners 2013 to 2020
View QAVS Winners 2021 to 2023
On Wednesday 6 March, Tim Cox officially presented Fay McSorley, Chairperson at Rugby Autism Network, with the charity’s King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) 2023. The charity received this award for its support to parents and carers of young autistic people in Rugby, enabling families to enjoy quality time together by having access to autism-friendly events, bespoke days out, learning materials, workshops, and social support. It is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Lianne Kirkman, who set up Helping Hands Community Project to offer support to those struggling with the causes and effects of homelessness and trauma, was presented with the Kings Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord Lieutenant Tim Cox.
The presentation was at their offices in Leamington Spa on Friday 26th January with over 30 volunteers and included the Trustees of the Charity and Clare Sawdon, David Kelham, and Mark Davies who are Deputy Lieutenants for Warwickshire and Sophie Hilleary, this years High Sheriff of Warwickshire.
Kings Award for Voluntary Services presented to Julie de Bastion who set up Own Books 10 years ago to help children to have their own books at home. Presentation took place at The Judges House in Warwick on Wednesday 17th January 2024.
Kings Award for Voluntary Services presented to Warwickshire Search and Rescue at their new Headquarters building at Stoneleigh near Kenilworth on Saturday 6th January 2024.