Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service awarded to Merton charities

· by · in Awards, Community and Housing, Events, Mayor of Merton, Volunteers. ·

The Right Honourable Sir John Wheeler, Deputy Lieutenant for Merton, officially recognised the Merton volunteer groups who’ve been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Merton Street Pastor volunteers with The Right Honourable Sir John Wheeler , Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina, Leader of the Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis and Leader of the Merton Conservative group Councillor Oonagh Moulton

Merton Street Pastor volunteers with The Right Honourable Sir John Wheeler, Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina, Deputy Mayor of Merton Councillor Laxmi Attawar, Leader of the Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis and Leader of the Merton Conservative group Councillor Oonagh Moulton

Supported by the Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina and Leader of the Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis, Sir John Wheeler officially awarded the Merton Street Pastors and the Jeremiah Project with this national honour on behalf of The Queen at a special ceremony in the council chamber last night. Both charities were awarded with a certificate signed by The Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal.

The Jeremiah Project volunteers with The Right Honourable Sir John Wheeler , Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina, Leader of the Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis and Leader of the Merton Conservative group Councillor Oonagh Moulton

The Jeremiah Project volunteers with The Right Honourable Sir John Wheeler, Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina, Deputy Mayor of Merton Councillor Laxmi Attawar, Leader of the Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis and Leader of the Merton Conservative group Councillor Oonagh Moulton

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. Out of the 13 London charities chosen by The Queen for this prestigious award, two were awarded to these Merton charities.

John Goddard with Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina and The Right Honourable Sir John Wheeler, accepting the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of Merton Street Pastors

John Goddard with Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina and The Right Honourable Sir John Wheeler, accepting the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of Merton Street Pastors

Merton Street Pastors, one of the Mayor of Merton’s charities, are a team of volunteers from local churches in Merton who patrol the streets of Mitcham and Wimbledon in the evenings looking to care for, listen to and help people who need support. The Jeremiah Project works with Mitcham churches to provide education, practical and pastoral support and help people reach their full potential.

Pastor Kevin Vickers with Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina and The Right Honourable Sir John Wheeler , accepting the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of The Jeremiah Project

Pastor Kevin Vickers with Mayor of Merton Councillor Agatha Akyigyina and The Right Honourable Sir John Wheeler, accepting the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of the Jeremiah Project

Mayor of Merton, Councillor Agatha Akyigyina said: “Merton Street Pastors and the Jeremiah Project both do fantastic work for the people of Merton and really demonstrate the value volunteer work brings to our local community. I am thrilled that their work has been recognised at the highest level through the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. It was a pleasure to be part of the ceremony and to see Sir John Wheeler officially present both charities with their well-deserved awards.”

Martyn Lewis CBE, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Award Committee chairman, said: “With more than 15 million Britons now volunteering at least once a month, this year’s winners of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service have faced some tough competition.”

 

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