VOLUNTEERS at two Andover charities have been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary service, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK equivalent to an MBE.

The Andover Foodbank and Kids on Track have both had the honour bestowed upon them, as the Queen announces a raft of special awards to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

The Andover foodbank was started in March 2006 to provide emergency food boxes to people in crisis. The foodbank is a community based project using support within the local community to help those in need. It now provides support to people in Andover, Whitchurch, Ludgershall, Stockbridge, Overton, and the surrounding rural areas.

The foodbank works with more than seventy local charities and agencies and in 2021 helped 6532 people. Support and donations are given by individuals, churches, schools, groups and companies. The foodbank has over 96 volunteers many of whom have been with the organisation for more than five years. The foodbank also offers placements to people within the community who may need additional support to lead a fully active life and opportunities for young people to gain work experience, Duke of Edinburgh awards and other awards.

Meanwhile, Kids on Track runs non-residential camps during school holidays for children from disadvantaged areas in Andover. They also have a mentoring and outreach programme to help support these children in addition to the activity camps.

Jenny LeLean, Andover Foodbank manager, said: “Our volunteers are the foodbank, without them it simply would not exist. They are kind, compassionate, creative and dedicated, serving the needs of the community every day.”

Jamie Symington, Foodbank chair, added: ‘I am delighted that the Andover Foodbank has been recognised through this prestigious award. The foodbank has performed valuable service supporting local people facing crisis. Recent and current events have been particularly difficult. But our staff, volunteers and supporters have risen to the challenge with their tireless work and generosity. The QAVS is a fitting tribute.’

Kids on Track founder Kiki Godson said: “We are thrilled and so honoured to receive the QAVS, the most enormous thank you to every single one of our volunteers who make Kids on Track possible. Our volunteers energy and time has enabled us to support 85 children in and around Andover, providing activities, educational experiences and mentoring. Thank you so very much.”

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Representatives from both charities will receive the award crystal and certificate from

Nigel Atkinson, Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire later this summer. In addition, select volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2023.

Some 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

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