Prudhoe Community Allotment from Prudhoe has been announced as one of 95 volunteering groups from across the UK winning this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognising the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others.

The prestigious National Honour, which is equivalent to the MBE, sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, and the activities of those awarded have been judged of the highest standard.

Prudhoe Community Allotment has received the Award for its work  giving everyone in the community the opportunity to enjoy allotment gardening.  They also help disadvantaged people and those with learning difficulties to gain practical training in gardening.

Winners of this year’s Award were selected from 406 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community.

Prudhoe Community Allotment will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal.  These will be presented by Her Majesty's representative in Northumberland, the Duchess of \Northumberland, at a special ceremony arranged by the Lieutenancy office.

Speaking of their success, Joan Russell  from the Community Allotment said:

“ We are delighted to have received this prestigious honour for the work we do with the less able in the local community

The Award is overseen by the Office of the Third Sector, in the Cabinet Office. Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, said: 

“Volunteering binds communities together and builds a stronger and kinder society. Often these unsung heroes go about their work without much recognition, that’s why I’m particularly pleased to see their efforts recognised and rewarded by the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.”

More than 700 groups around the UK have now won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, over the seven years since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

For details of all this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service winners and information on how to nominate a group that really makes a difference, visit www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk, where a nomination form can be downloaded.