A HOME-GROWN children’s charity has been given the backing of the borough council after it received an royal award.

Inspero, based in Old Worting Road, supports children to lead healthy lifestyles by learning about food and the role it plays in their lives.

The charity was honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, known as an ‘MBE for organisations’, in June this year.

Founder and chief executive Catherine Waters-Clark and chair Samia Calvet attended a reception at Kempshott Village Hall on Thursday, 6 September where Hampshire’s Lord-Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson presented them with the award.

The mayor and mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Sean and Gwen Keating attended, along with many of Inspero’s volunteers.

Now, it has been announced that Inspero is being supported over the next three years by £51,000 from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Community and Voluntary Sector Grants Programme.

The borough council’s funding helps Inspero promote healthy eating and living through its food growing and cooking programmes, Love2Grow: Love2Bake: Love2Cook, as well as new Forest School classes for children in the community.

Catherine said: “It is a wonderful privilege to receive this award from the Queen and to attend this reception with the lord-lieutenant and his deputy, Brigadier David Innes.

“The lord-lieutenant was very interested in the charity’s work. He said he was thrilled when he learned that Inspero had been awarded the Queen’s Award and that our nomination really did stand out. He spoke with all the volunteers at the event and has requested an annual update on our work.

“As a small charity in Basingstoke, working with over 600 young people a year, it is amazing for our volunteers to be recognised in this way. We are all so thrilled.”

Cabinet member for finance, service delivery and improvement at the borough council, Cllr Robert Tate, said: “Congratulations to Inspero on receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The charity has made a huge impact in our local community and the council was delighted to support its work with children to promote healthy eating.”