The award is the highest recognition given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise the outstanding work they do in their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen’s coronation.
Rennie Grove has a team of 1,500 volunteers in a wide variety of roles, including trustees, van drivers, complementary therapists, family support listeners, shop assistants, receptionists, office helpers and event marshals.
Last year the charity estimated that the time the volunteers gives to the hospice each year is worth £1.5 million.
Jenny Provin, Chief Executive of Rennie Grove Hospice Care said:
“We are so proud and delighted that our volunteers have been honoured in this way. Volunteers underpin everything we do at Rennie Grove and make invaluable contributions throughout the organisation. Without them we simply would not be able to provide our high quality services to support adults, children and families in the local community coping with life-limiting illness.”
“Every year we say a heartfelt thank you to our volunteers but it always feels a little inadequate, so it is particularly special that the scale of their contribution has now been recognised with this award.”
The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, as The Queen’s representative, will present the hospice with a certificate signed by The Queen, and a commemorative crystal at a local ceremony over the coming months.
After receiving the award, two of the hospice’s longstanding volunteers were invited to attend the Buckingham Palace Garden Party last month.
David Coles and Barbara Brereton have been in a variety of voluntary roles for many years, supporting the charity that cared for their respective partners.
Commenting on the experience, Brereton said:
“David and I felt extremely privileged to be invited to the Garden Party. We are both immensely proud to be part of such a large and diverse volunteer team and are pleased that together we can help ensure that local families can continue to benefit from the same fantastic support we received.”
On their ongoing need for volunteers, Provin said:
“With the number of local families needing our help rising every year we need to work in the most efficient and effective ways possible and our volunteer team helps us to do this. We are always looking for new people to become volunteers, so whether you just have a few hours a year to offer as a street collector or event marshal or you can make a more regular gift of your time and skills, please do consider becoming part of our award-winning and immensely valuable team.”
To find out more visit Rennie Grove
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