Volunteers given King's Award for 'tireless' work

Trudy Marrice from Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers said revealing the award had been "very emotional"

Community groups across Yorkshire which have received The King's Award for Voluntary Service have shared their thanks for the volunteers who support them.

Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers (TaSH), Friends of Whirlow Brook Park in Sheffield and Kids Klub Leeds were among those recognised this year.

The award is given to voluntary groups and is the equivalent of an MBE. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee.

Trudy Marrice, chair of TaSH, said: "It's such brilliant recognition. It takes a lot of volunteers and all the members to make that special club and make it welcoming and supportive to absolutely everyone."

The running club holds training, informal runs and competitions for people of all abilities across a range of distances.

Ms Marrice said being able to tell everyone about the award, which some volunteers had to keep secret, had been "very emotional".

"It's absolutely brilliant and it's down to every single member of the club who has put in so many hours," she added.

A spokesperson for Friends of Whirlow Brook Park gave a "huge thank you to all our volunteers who have helped make this happen".

The Friends of Whirlow Brook Park have worked "tirelessly" to improve the space

"The volunteers have worked tirelessly on a number of projects to improve facilities and planting in the park," they said.

Members of the group, which is coming up on its fifth anniversary, range in age from 30 to 83.

Another group to be awarded is Safe Anchor Trust in West Yorkshire, which runs boat trips for disabled and vulnerable passengers and recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Kevin Musgrave, chairman of the board of trustees, noted the "dedication and compassion" of the group's volunteers.

"Receiving a King's Award for Voluntary Service is a deeply valued recognition of the generosity, commitment, and lasting impact of those volunteers whose work continues to bring wellbeing, unity, and joy to the community," he said.

Huddersfield Woodscape, Options in Life, Huby and Sutton Community Shop and Heart of Knitting were also recognised.

Each winner will receive a crystal award and certificate in March, and representatives will attend a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2026.

The King's Award for Voluntary Service chair, Sir Martyn Lewis CBE, said the volunteer-driven groups were "the very best of us".

"[Their] drive and excellence achieves so much for their communities in so many different ways," he added.

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