The highest award for volunteers in the United Kingdom, has been given to the Hope Cove Life Boat. The charity was one of five volunteer groups from Devon to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, at a ceremony in Plymouth’s Council House on 9 October.
The Hope Cove Life Boat provides rescue cover for Bigbury Bay and complements Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) cover in the area. The Life Boat is run by volunteers as a registered charity with no funding from the government or any other organisation.
Graham Phillips, Chairman of Hope Cove Life Boat said: “It is both a privilege, and an honour to realise that Hope Cove Life Boat has been chosen as a recipient of the award. The Life Boat is grateful to the efforts of so many, not just within the small community of Hope Cove, but the wider community of The South Hams, Devon, the rest of The U.K., and even further afield.
“It would be impossible to single out any individuals or groups of individuals, however, I am going to make special mention of ‘The Crew’. Without the ceaseless efforts of the crew, the craft would not operate.”
Cllr Kathy Cuthbert, South Hams District Council’s Chairman said: “I was pleased to attend the ceremony and to witness Hope Cove Life Boat receiving such a prestigious award. We are very proud of the charity and we praise its achievement and outstanding work. Many people and the broader community have benefitted from years of Hope Cove Life Boat’s dedication. This award is definitely well-deserved.”
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups within the United Kingdom and is the equivalent to the MBE. This national honour was first announced in April 2002 to mark the anniversary of the Queen’s coronation. The award is presented every year to a select group of winners.
Volunteer groups from regions across the UK must be nominated in order to be considered for the award. Their work or charity must be run locally and provide a service that meets the local community’s need. 22 volunteer groups from the South West were nominated and received the award for 2017.
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