Acts of Kindness celebrate royal accolade
By Connor Steel
ACTS OF KINDNESS has been rewarded for their tireless support and dedication within the community as they were recently awarded the honour of a ‘Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2022’, joining nearly 250 other charity organisations to be recognised during Her Majesty’s landmark Platinum Jubilee year.
The charity has been bestowed with the award, seen as the highest accolade for voluntary groups, for their efforts across the Solent region including Gosport and Fareham particularly over recent years; in which they have supported thousands of people throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Set up by Kerry Snuggs in 2014 the charity has helped those through a range of community projects that have ranged from gardening through to collecting laptops to children before distributing them. Dedicated campaigns for Easter and Christmas have also been held to help those at need during these holiday periods.
And in recent years the Gosport-based organisation has led one of the leading pandemic responses in the South with a range of initiatives to help the needy, vulnerable, or self-isolating in our communities. The range of support included collecting prescriptions and regularly telephoning those suffering from loneliness, whilst a dedicated food bank fed thousands of people during the almost two years of on / off lockdown restrictions.
Although the group of volunteers were officially honoured on June 2, the anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen’s Coronation in 1953, a ceremony was recently held to celebrate the achievement and give out the awards . This took place on July 5 with a certificate and trophy presented by HM Lord-Lieutenant, Nigel Atkinson Esq; whilst fellow attendees at the event also included The Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham, the Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council Sean Woodward, and Deputy Lieutenant Geoff Holt MBE.
Recently appointed Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Mike Ford commented after the ceremony had concluded: “I cannot think of a group more deserving of this prestigious award. Whether they are providing food for people struggling to feed themselves or their families, helping those who have lost everything to fire, or organising projects to help the wider community, Acts of Kindness volunteers help in any way they can. They are truly an inspiration, and I was honoured to host this presentation event for them.”
HM Lord-Lieutenant, Nigel Atkinson Esq, who presented the award to volunteers added his own thoughts, saying: “The Queen’s Award is the equivalent to an MBE and the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK. They are awarded for life with royal approval. Acts of Kindness have proven that they are deserving of this honour through the many ways in which its committed volunteers work to make things better for their local community as well as individuals who are struggling.”
Readers can read more about Acts of Kindness and the work they do in the community by visiting this link, which also includes up-to-date information and advice for anybody who may be struggling. They can also see the full list of winners and nominees by visiting: https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/awardees/
PICTURED BY FAREHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL: Acts of Kindness volunteers and a selection of invited guests celebrate winning 2022 Queen’s Award at recent ceremony at the Civic Offices (held on July 5).
