Charity calls King's Award recognition 'wonderful'

Maria Hanson MBE, pictured second from the left, said the award was "truly wonderful" for the charity

A charity that helps "create a bit of sunshine" for families has received the King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Me&dee operates from a "tiny" office in Melbourne, Derbyshire, and offers support where rare illness and potentially life-limiting conditions have been diagnosed.

Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.

The charity's founder, Maria Hanson MBE, said the award from King Charles, which was announced on Friday, was "wonderful and overwhelming".

"It is more than I could ever have imagined when I set up me&dee all those years ago," she added.

Since it was created 19 years ago me&dee has supported 9,000 families, a spokesperson for the charity said.

The King's Awards for Voluntary Service (KAVS) are announced annually on 14 November, the birthday of King Charles

Recipients of the award are set to receive a certificate signed by King Charles, a domed glass crystal and are invited to a royal garden party.

Ms Hanson, 71, is hoping that the award will raise awareness of the work that the charity does.

"Me&dee is volunteer-led - from its CEO to its trustees, and is based in a tiny office with a small team of just four," Ms Hanson said.

"Without our wonderful volunteers, who literally roll up their sleeves to help support our families, we would not be who we are today."

Ms Hanson said the charity helped with the things that "a lot of people take for granted".

This includes group swimming sessions at Moorways Sports Village and Water Park in Derby, outings for families, support for siblings through craft sessions and a specialist bereavement support group.

Making memories

Ms Hanson said: "If you are a parent sat in an isolation ward and if you are spending two or three weeks in hospital and all you are doing is sat in a chair next to a bed - I can't do anything, I can't change anything, I wish I had a magic wand every day.

"But the one thing I can do is listen and care.

"When you have somebody extremely poorly in your family, you are very restricted from doing the most normal things, and that is what we try to do, create a bit of sunshine and let them make memories."

Two other groups in Derbyshire received the same award. Buxton Town Team was recognised for its work in "advancing the prosperity" and wellbeing of the community.

Mackworth Estate Community Association also received the award for its efforts in "facilitating community cohesion and maximising the wellbeing and opportunities" for residents there.