Volunteer award for the Furniture Station
A HAZEL Grove charity has been granted the highest honour a voluntary group can receive in the UK – the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Furniture Station is an anti-poverty initiative and registered charity that works to supply essential, re-useable items of furniture and white goods to families and individuals in need.
It works on a referral basis, and is affiliated with a number of other charities and organisations who refer those in need.
Project manager Alan Gunnion and fundraiser Joanne Watson attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace last month, where they met the Queen and other winners of this year’s award – of whom there are 187 in total.
Alan said: “We are proud to work as a team of 28 volunteers and six staff who continue to carry out the core operations of our activities and allow us to support local residents to live more independently through the re-use of good quality furniture.
“Recognising this teamwork of 21 years is both inspiring and motivating.
“There continues to be a real need for the most basic items of furniture such as a bed to sleep on amongst local families, who struggle to secure the essentials to help make their accommodation a home.
“Anyone wishing to donate their unwanted good quality furniture can call us on 456 0717 to help us meet this need.”