King's Award for Voluntary Service honours three local groups

Saturday, 15 November 2025 07:00

By Shaun Moore

Three volunteer groups from Lancashire have received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, presented as part of the King’s Birthday Honours.

Winners include Lancaster youth charity Escape2Make, and Blackpool’s Helping Hearts and Counselling in the Community.

Leaders say the recognition reflects the dedication of volunteers supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

KAVS Chair, Sir Martyn Lewis CBE said: The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the UK’s top award for groups of remarkable citizens transforming many aspects of life in their local communities. For over two decades these annual awards have shown the people of our country at their very best, coming together from all sections of society to touch virtually every area of need.

They also reflect the key role which volunteers are playing in times of rapid change. Whether driven by a neighbourly passion to help others or to achieve that well recognised “high” of personal satisfaction, volunteering taps into a rich spirit of generosity and kindness.

So let’s celebrate those volunteer-driven groups whose drive and excellence achieves so much for their communities in so many different ways. They are the very best of us.

Each group will receive a certificate and crystal, with volunteers invited to a Palace garden party in 2026.