Park View 4U

The Queen pays tribute to a Lytham volunteering group with a prestigious Award

Park view 4U from Lytham has been announced as one of 95 volunteering groups from across the UK winning this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognising the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others.

The prestigious National Honour, which is equivalent to the MBE, sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, and the activities of those awarded have been judged of the highest standard.

Park View 4Uhas received the Award for its work in regenerating Park View Playing Fields .

Winners of this year’s Award were selected from 406 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community.

Park View 4u will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal. These will be presented by Her Majesty’s representative in Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth at a special ceremony arranged by the Lieutenancy office. Group representatives have also received an invitation to a Royal Garden Party event at Buckingham Palace in the summer.

Speaking of their success, Mr Ray Norsworthy from Park View 4 U on behalf of his fellow trustees said: “The Charity ‘Park View 4U’ was set up with the simple aim of regenerating the Park View Road Playing Fields for the benefit and enjoyment of the children and people of Lytham. Over the years the project has grown beyond our wildest belief, but at no stage did we ever dream that our efforts would be honoured by Her Majesty the Queen. We are extremely proud to receive the Queens Award and humbly do so on behalf of all those who have helped us achieve our goal.”

The Award is overseen by the Office of the Third Sector, in the Cabinet Office. Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, said,

“Volunteering binds communities together and builds a stronger and kinder society. Often these unsung heroes go about their work without much recognition, that’s why I’m particularly pleased to see their efforts recognised and rewarded by the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.”

More than 700 groups around the UK have now won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, over the seven years since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

For details of all this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service winners and information on how to nominate a group that really makes a difference, visit www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk, where a nomination form can be downloaded.