Volunteer groups receive royal recognition

Mountsorrel and Rothley Heritage Centre and Leicestershire Search and Rescue have been honoured with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

They were part of the 230 awards that have been given across the country to charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.

Leicestershire Search and Rescue are a team of volunteers that are called upon to assist the emergency services in searches for missing people in the local area. They currently have 48 volunteers who can be called upon at any time of the day or night. 

Simon Headley, Chairman and Search Manager, said of their win; "We are absolutely delighted to be recognised. The team are proud to be a part of the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We respond to many incidents across the area supporting people in their times of need and we are proud of what we do. Our team members are all volunteers from many different backgrounds who give up their own free time which for a Search and Rescue Team is a big commitment. The team continues to go from strength to strength."

The Mountsorrel and Rothley Heritage Centre won the award in recognition of the entirely volunteer-led drive to restore an industrial railway and reopen a disused quarry for community use. Now boasting a café, nature trails and heritage centre, not to mention two royal visits, volunteers have transformed the site since 2007.

Managing Director, Steve Cramp, said: "It is a great honour for us as a volunteer group to be given such a prestigious award! It is fantastic to be recognized for all the hard work our many volunteers have put in over the last 13 years to make our site somewhere for the community to learn about their local history and wildlife. It really goes to show just what communities can achieve when they work together."

Representatives of each winning organisation will receive the award from Mike Kapur, Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire later this summer.

Mike Kapur said: "I am delighted for the staff and volunteers of Mountsorrel Heritage Centre, Leicestershire Search and Rescue and The Hinckley Concordia on achieving the Queens Award for Voluntary Service. In the last 18 months I have had the pleasure of meeting all three organisations to learn at first hand of the incredible work they do. This award is only given to those groups of volunteers that demonstrate they are outstanding in their achievements and our three winners are a very deserving of this highest of accolades."