Queen’s Award for voluntary service presentation
On Sunday 13 July 2014 the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire will be presenting the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to Severn Hospice.
The presentation will take place at 3pm at a service at St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury to celebrate Severn Hospice’s 25th anniversary.
Everyone is very welcome to attend, including reporters and photographers.
About the Award
Her Majesty the Queen created the annual awards for voluntary service organisations to celebrate her Golden Jubilee, and they were originally called The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Awards. The awards recognise and reward excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community. They are given for outstanding achievement by groups of volunteers who regularly devote their time to helping others in the community, improve the quality of life and opportunity for others, and provide an outstanding service. The Queen’s Award is equivalent in status for voluntary groups as an MBE is for individuals, and is the highest accolade awarded to voluntary groups.
Severn Hospice
Severn Hospice cares for approximately 2,800 patients a year. Their Hospice at Home team has supported 298 patients in their own homes, undertaking 1,873 home visits. These statistics alone support the great need for the group’s work within the Shropshire and Mid Wales area. The ever-challenging financial climate has meant the Hospice has had to increase its fundraising efforts and become ever more efficient in its operations. Severn Hospice relies on the generosity of over 1,000 volunteers who give their time free of charge to help make a difference in their local community. Volunteers fulfil a number of important roles at the hospice, including transporting patients, helping on the wards, greeting visitors, gardening and offering help, support and companionship to patients and staff at the charity’s Day Hospices.
Without the work of the volunteers, Severn Hospice would not be able to care for the growing number of local people who need their support.
David Sear, chair of trustees at Severn Hospice, said:
“Everyone at the hospice is absolutely delighted to hear the news that our volunteers are to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
“It is very fitting that our volunteers, who form a vital part of what we do at the hospice, receive such recognition during our silver anniversary year.
“Since we first opened our doors in 1989 so many people have given their time to enable us to provide our vital services within the local community. From supporting our medical teams to helping raise the money needed to fund our services, our volunteers are an essential part of our team. Without their unwavering support we simply would not be able to care for the thousands of patients who need our support.
“The generosity and commitment of our volunteers continues to astound me, they are truly remarkable people. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and everyone at Severn Hospice I would like to say congratulations and thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers for all they do to make the hospice such a special place.”
