Two voluntary groups who works in their communities to raise money for their selected charities have been honoured with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
The East Cheshire Hospice Christmas Tree Collection has been honoured with the prestigious Queen's Award for all the hard work their volunteers have carried out over the past 16 years raising a massive £640,000 for the Hospice.
Andrew Robertson, Pete Chapman, Richard Raymond and Tony Middleton said "We are also delighted to acknowledge the enormous contributions from you and all our supporters - tree customers, sponsors or suppliers. Without you (and our helpers!!) the Christmas Tree Collection could never have succeeded in the way that it has.
"We are already thinking and planning for our 2017 Collection when we hope you will once again support us. In addition we are hoping that the award of this important honour will encourage more hospice tree collections to start up following our example here in Cheshire."
Additionally, Loose Change who use the medium of music, busking in shopping centres, community events and local artisan markets have also been honoured with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. So far Loose Change have been able to donate over £260,000 to Cancer Research UK to help find ways to battle against cancer.
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June – the anniversary of the Queen's Coronation. 193 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
Bernard Dolan and John Fogel, on behalf of Loose Change will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant later this summer.
Bernard Dolan said "With out the generosity of the people of Manchester we could not have won this award, and we would like to share this award with them."
Photo: Loose Change performing at Wilmslow Artisan Market.
