JUBILANT volunteers and staff at a community centre welcomed a royal visitor who presented them with the highest award a UK voluntary group can receive.
The Benn Partnership Centre (BPC) was announced as the winner of a Queens Award for Voluntary Service – the equivalent of an MBE – last month.
They finally got their hands on the prestigious prize when the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Timothy Cox – the Queen’s representative in the county – visited the Railway Terrace centre for a celebration lunch, during which he read a message from The Queen and presented the award.
The centre won the award for providing 23 years of voluntary services to the community, including gardening, mentoring, returning to employment and English language teaching.
Among those in attendance were Coun Jim Shera, one of the founding directors of BPC.
He told staff and volunteers: “Thank you most profoundly for what you are doing for vulnerable people in this area, you are ambassadors in the voluntary sector.
“I served on the board here for a number of years in the past, and found the event deeply moving. It was a fitting reward for all of your hard work over many years.”
Chair of the BPC Board of Trustees Sonia Johns said: “This is such an amazing achievement for our centre. Every single person that enters our centre makes it what it is so thanks to you all.”
THE BPC will again host a free Christmas Day event for disadvantaged or lonely people this year – and places are already up for grabs.
The centre will put on games, films, carols and a three course meal – and has just received a £1,000 donation from Asda Rugby to cover costs.
To book on a first come first served basis, call the centre on 01788 553033 before December 15.
