Royal recognition for charity’s work
ACHURCH has received a royal honour in recognition of its voluntary work within Rochdale.
The World Mission Society Church of God, which has carried out numerous clean-ups and care home visits in the borough, received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at a prestigious ceremony.
Based in South Manchester, the church has taken part in various projects in Rochdale in recent months.
They have included ●●World Mission Society Church of God Pastor Joo-Cheol Kim and Senior Church Leader Michael King receive the award from the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Warren Smith and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant Edith Conn. clean-up campaigns with Rochdale Council and Deeplish Community Centre, working in areas such as Littleborough, Heywood and Mandale Park.
Representatives have also visited sites such as Belvoir Care Home in Wardle.
Members work throughout Greater Manchester and are easy to spot in their vivid yellow t-shirts.
The prestigious award seen as the equivalent of an MBE for volunteer initiatives - was presented to general pastor Joo-Cheol Kim and senior church leader Michael King by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Warren Smith and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant Edith Conn at a presentation event at Gorton Monastery.
General Pastor Kim said: “I give thanks to God for allowing us the honourable Queen’s Award and to Her Majesty the Queen, all the Mayors from different cities and our neighbours in the UK for encouraging the World Mission Church of God times.”
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.
Mr Smith said: “The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a voluntary group and these are very worthy recipients. Each one makes an exceptional contribution to their community and helps to greatly improve the lives of local people. For so many to give up their Society at all
‘These are very worthy recipients of this award’
time for others is tremendous and this award is extremely well deserved.”
In 2013, the church was presented with a Mayoral award for its work within Rochdale, for projects including supporting blood donation and providing entertainment in care homes.
A spokesman for the church said more cleanup work is planned for Rochdale over the summer, in celebration of the award.