Voluntary group in Tilbury receives prestigious award for services in community

St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank received the QAVS. (Credit Pic: Google Streetmaps)

A voluntary organisation in Tilbury has received a prestigious award for their services to the community.

St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services 2020.

The award puts a spotlight on chosen charities, social enter-prises and volunteer-led groups who provide exceptional services to their local community.

In its application, the Thurrock organisation was described as “bringing about change through the hard work, innovation and determination of volunteers, delivering services to a disadvantaged local community bringing cohesion and a positive outlook.”

In total, 230 chosen recipients were announced today (Tuesday, 2 June), with it being annual tradition to honour them on the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Deb Huelin said: “I am incredibly proud that St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank has been acknowledged for the outstanding work that its volunteers do across Thurrock.

“All of our voluntary organisations provide a wonderful service for our community’s wellbeing and we are grateful to every one of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication.

“The winners have been informed of their success and will receive this prestigious award from Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, at a ceremony later this year.

“Congratulations to St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank for its well-deserved success.”

Nominations are already open for the 2021 QAVS and close at midnight on Friday, 25 September 2020.

If you’d like to nominate your local volunteer group, more information can be found here.

For more on this story, and the latest on our other local and national news, listen to Time 107.5FM.