4th Crosby (St William of York) Scout Group, a group of volunteers based in Thornton, Merseyside, have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. 

This award recognises the contribution of the leaders and adults working with their local community to provide a range of opportunities for young people to develop skills for life while enjoying the adventures of Scouting.

4th Crosby Scout Group is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

Their work, along with others across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them. 

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

It was created in 2002 to celebrate the late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of the King. 2024 marked the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Recipients are announced annually on 14 November, The King’s Birthday.

Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a mental health and wellbeing support network for veterans and their families in Yorkshire; a group preserving a historic 12th century castle in south Wales; volunteers providing English lessons for refugees in Stirling and an organisation providing opportunities to engage in the arts for people with learning disabilities in County Fermanagh. 

Representatives of 4th Crosby Scout Group will receive the award crystal and certificate from Mr Mark Blundell, Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside early next year. In addition, two volunteers will be invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award. 

Group Scout Leader, Catherine Ashcroft said: “Receiving this award is tinged with great sadness at the unexpected death of our Parish Priest Fr Dunstan Harrington on Remembrance Sunday.

"Fr Dunstan was very proud of our young people and the work our volunteers undertake in our parish, he would have been delighted to hear this news and his support has been invaluable to us over the years. May he rest in peace. 

“It is truly an incredible honour to be recognised inthis way for the efforts made by our team. We have the most amazing group of adults you could dream of working with.

"They are committed to delivering the best opportunities to challenge our young people, teaching them skills that will raise aspirations and prepare them for the future. They consistently go above and beyond and are a credit to our organisation.

"This award will mean so much to our young people, volunteers, trustees and parents, we are delighted to receive it.

"Thank you to everyone who contributes to make the 4th such a special place to volunteer, we hope to continue to make a difference in our community.”

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