Royal recognition for the work of cancer care centre
BEECHWOOD Cancer care has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Community and volunteer manager Lorraine Fairclough and Isabel Dunklin, one of the longest-serving volunteers at Beechwood, attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace where they met the Queen and other winners of this year’s award.
Beechwood is one of 187 charities to receive the award, described as the MBE for volunteers, this year – others in Greater Manchester include city centre homeless charity The Booth Centre, Gortonbased Oasis Centre and Salford’s Access 2 All Areas.
The awards were created in 2002 celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Allen Whittaker, patron at Beechwood and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Manchester, said: “Beechwood are delighted to receive this prestigious award.
“It is a reflection and in appreciation of the support given to us by our volunteers.
“As a charity we could not survive without their help.”
The charity has over 230 volunteers, from counsellors to drivers, retail assistants and therapists, saving it a whopping £ 350,000 which can then be used to help people who need it the most.
Lorriane added: “We are delighted that Beechwood volunteers have been honoured and recognised for the commitment they give to us.
“Without their support Beechwood simply couldn’t survive.”
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service committee chair, former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE, said: “I warmly congratulate all of the inspirational voluntary groups who have been rewarded for their community work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
“The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups.
“The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the best of democracy in action.”
And the award could not have come at a better time as the charity is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary with the Silver Wing Appeal, supported by the Stockport Express.
For more information visit the website at beechwoodcancercare. org. uk.