Latest news with #King'sAwardforVoluntaryService
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Two stroke survivors taking on 24-hour three peaks challenge
Two East Lancashire men, who have both suffered strokes, have made the 'bonkers' decision to take on the Three Peaks challenge after a brief conversation over dinner. Andrew Wilson, from Clayton-le-Moors and Paul Wood, from Blackburn, have set themselves the task of climbing all three of Great Britain's tallest mountains in less than 24 hours to help fund a local cadet group. They aim to raise £2,000 for Accrington Air Cadets to help fund a trip to Poland for the young people who use the service. Andrew said: 'The youth deserve to have a trip that is going to teach them about why we don't forget the atrocities of the past, because if we don't remember it, it will be impossible to sort our future out. 'They said they would all like to go to Auschwitz and pay their respects.' Having volunteered at the youth group for 12 months, Andrew was inspired by the work that was done there and the major benefits it had for young people in the community. During the mammoth challenge, the pair are planning to drive themselves and expect to only have a 10-minute break to stretch on their route as they ascend Scotland's Ben Nevis, England's Scafell Pike, and Wales' Mount Snowdon. Andrew added: 'We have done no training. We are typically blokes from the North West of England, thinking, ah, we can do that. "We are doing our first training sessions next weekend and starting at Pendle Hill. 'Most people go with the Three Peaks challenge, and then they do all the driving. "Because we don't want to take away from the cadets, we are not doing it that way, we are driving ourselves.' READ MORE: Scout group to host 'Alfresco Afternoon Tea' event in Blackburn READ MORE: King's Award for Voluntary Service event to be held at football club Andrew has suffered two transient ischemic attacks, often referred to as a 'mini stroke', whilst Paul has suffered one. All funds raised will be used to reduce the cost of the trip, with some young people in the cadets unable to cover the £900 cost for the trip. The pair will be live-streaming the event on the Accrington Cadets' Facebook page and regularly updating people in WhatsApp groups. Donations can be made to the group's GoFundMe page or dropped off at the air cadets' base in Harvey Street, Oswaldtwistle, between 7.30 and 9.30pm on Tuesdays.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mental health podcaster on month of fundraiser runs
The co-founder of a men's mental health podcast is running every day in May to raise money for a charity that supports his daughter. Lee Cadman, who is one half of Black Country Blokes, has run 5km (3.1miles) each day since the start of the month, to raise awareness of a condition called Dravet Syndrome and funds for medical research. He has been posting on social media, having been inspired by his daughter who has the severe neurological condition. Mr Cadman and fellow podcaster Kevin Dillon were recently awarded a King's Award for Voluntary Service. They spoke to BBC WM about men's mental health, highlighting the benefits of writing a gratitude list and doing daily exercise. To anyone dealing with mental issues, Mr Cadman said "you have to open up". "You have to find someone who you trust, who you can open up to," he said. "It doesn't have to be a professional. It can be a friend, it can be your wife, it can be anyone, just find someone who you can open to. "Hopefully, that will be a positive experience for you and that person will listen. For the person who is listening, that's all you've got to do. You've just got to listen. You don't need to solve the problem, you have to listen." Mr Dillon said the "best friend" of any mental health issue was loneliness and he urged people to try to avoid being alone when problematic feelings arose. "By knocking down those walls and showing people you're not alone, it gives them the strength to talk and to be there," he said. "We feel weak for feeling emotional, but we should have emotions, we should be happy and sad - all those wonderful things - because we're human beings." During his fundraising, Mr Cadman has also posted on Facebook that it "isn't just a run". "It's a lifeline. It's a message. It's me saying enough. Enough silence. Enough feeling alone," he wrote. The Black Country Blokes group runs a podcast, radio slot, daily boxing and fitness classes and a Thought for the Day on social media. It evolved from founder Mr Dillon's plans to create a boxing gym where men could open up about their problems and fears. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Awards recognise volunteers giving time to others Black Country Blokes Dravet Syndrome UK
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pocklington rugby charity given King's Award for Voluntary Service
Pocklington Rugby in the Community has been awarded the King's Award for Voluntary Service. The award was formally presented on Friday, May 9 by HM Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Mr James Dick OBE, at an event at Burnby Hall attended by trustees, volunteers, and supporters. Pocklington Rugby in the Community representatives also celebrated the accolade at a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, May 7. The charity, which aims to promote activities that improve health, wellness, and community spirit in Pocklington, has managed a number of initiatives during the past six years. These include the Friday Social, a monthly event for those feeling isolated; a family fun day called Pockdown; and a recently-introduced monthly Parkinson's drop-in group. Andy Bowden, chair of trustees for the charity, said: "This award is a true reflection of the incredible dedication of every volunteer and supporter who has helped make Pocklington Rugby in the Community what it is today. "We are honoured to receive this recognition and will continue to work tirelessly to make a positive impact in Pocklington. "Thank you to the Lord-Lieutenant, his team, our volunteers, and everyone who attended Friday's presentation - it was a proud moment for us all." Mr Dick, the Lord-Lieutenant, said: "I was delighted to present the King's Award for Voluntary Service to Pocklington Rugby in the Community. "The support they give their local community is outstanding and they are very deserving of the award. "Congratulations to all the volunteers, supporters, and sponsors on receiving this recognition." The King's Award for Voluntary Service, created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty the late Queen's Golden Jubilee, recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It is the highest accolade for volunteer groups across the nation, and may be seen as equivalent to an MBE. Those interested in supporting Pocklington Rugby in the Community's programs, becoming a volunteer, or learning more about the organisation should visit or contact volunteer coordinator, Louise Partridge, via email at office@ More information about the King's Award for Voluntary Service, including how to nominate, is available at
BBC News
22-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Spelthorne litter pickers get King's Award for Voluntary Service
A Surrey litter picking group has been presented with an "MBE for charities" to mark its work to keep the community Litter Pickers was formed in 2020 with the aim of keeping the borough clean through volunteer events across the group has now been honoured with the King's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to volunteer groups in the Lunn, co-founder of the group, said receiving the award was "really special" and had spurred them on to continue their work. She added: "The group has really made a difference. I think everyone is really delighted that we have been recognised even though what we do is not glamorous."Receiving the award was absolutely amazing. It was a really big achievement and everybody feels it." Formed during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Lunn added that the group now includes volunteers ranging from five years old to group carries out a monthly litter pick across the area as well as encouraging volunteers to do their own work in their own added that, since forming, the group has led efforts to clean up Spelthorne, including getting a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the area to tackle littered nitrous oxide pickers from the group collected the award at a ceremony at Spelthorne Borough Council on Tuesday, 15 award was first created in 2002 as the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service to celebrate the Golden King's Award is equivalent to an MBE for Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Surrey Michael More-Molyneux, who presented the award, said: "It was a pleasure to present this award to the Spelthorne Litter Pickers."They carry out fantastic voluntary work in Spelthorne and fully deserve our thanks and the recognition that comes with this award."
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Yahoo
Wearside stories you might have missed
A prison unit emptied, bus fare changes and a little boy's dream coming true are just some of the things to have made the news this week. Here are some Wearside stories you might have missed from the past seven days. Last week the news broke about counter-terrorism police investigating an attack on three prison officers by Hashem Abedi, one of the men responsible for the Manchester Arena bombing. Three officers were taken to hospital after the attack at HMP Frankland in County Durham, with the Prison Officers' Association (POA) saying the life-threatening injuries included burns and stab wounds. Earlier this week, in an update, the BBC was told all prisoners held in the terrorism prison unit had been moved. There were seven prisoners in the HMP Frankland separation centre at the time of Abedi's attack, including the extremist preacher Anjem Choudary. Read more about the attack on the prison officers and the move of the prisoners in light of it The body of a decapitated deer was discovered lying in Mere Knolls Cemetery in Sunderland. Northumbria Police said the discovery of the animal, which appeared to have sustained injuries, was made last week. Sunderland City Council said it had removed "the head and skin of an apparently butchered deer". Read more about this story Stagecoach is set to increase some of its fares from Easter Sunday because of rising costs. Weekly fares are going up by between £1.50 and £2.00 in Newcastle, Sunderland and Teesside, though single fares and ticket prices for passengers under 21 will remain the same. North East Public Transport Users Group (NEPTUG) said it was disappointed and warned any increase might deter passengers from travelling. Some passengers told the BBC they were likely to be "hugely" affected by the increase, but others said bus travel remained good value despite the rise. Read more about the changes to the fares There was also the heart-warming story of a 12-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a sports journalist, who had a chance to meet the BBC's Sunderland commentator. Ben Cullen, from Wynyard in County Durham, hopes to start a YouTube channel to interview supporters after Sunderland matches. His football coach got in touch with BBC Newcastle for the aspiring commentator to chat to Nick Barnes. Watch the video of their meeting here A Sunderland children's charity which has seen volunteers more than double in a year has been formally presented with the UK's highest voluntary award. Love, Amelia officially received the King's Award for Voluntary Service for its work across the city and County Durham. Steph Capewell, who founded the charity in memory of her daughter, said the award was "such an honour". The charity was founded in 2019 in memory of Ms Capewell's daughter Amelia who died in January 2018, just 12 minutes after she was born. It offers support to families experiencing hardship and poverty, giving donated items to those in need. Read more about the charity's award Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
