Latest news with #KingsAward
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Mum's fitness charity recieves King's award
A mum who started a fitness group to make new friends has been presented with a King's award in recognition of the charity she in 2009 by Sam Barlow, from Cottingham, Fitmums & Friends now has over 250 volunteers who organise fitness events across Barlow said the award was a "remarkable achievement" and accepted it on behalf of "every single volunteer across our charity".The King's award for voluntary service was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire at a ceremony at the Guildhall in Hull on Saturday. Ms Barlow said: "I was a lonely mum and I just really wanted to meet people to be more active with, but also to make friends in the playground when my little boy started school, and it's grown considerably."Over 100 volunteers attended the event in Lieutenant, Jim Dick, who presented the award on behalf of the King, said: "This is an award from the King, and it's not given lightly. "There is a real nomination process, a vetting process, so that only those most worthy of getting this receive the award."We should be recognizing as many as people as we can in the East Riding of Yorkshire, including Hull. We have fantastic organizations, fantastic people, fantastic businesses."Fitmums & Friends is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups in the UK to receive the award in 2024, which is the highest accolade given to local volunteer Barlow said the award was a "remarkable achievement"."This is for every single volunteer across our charity, without them we wouldn't be able to provide the incredible things we do," she to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Leader Live
22-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Planet Mark certification for Chirk-based manufacturer
Kings Award winning, timber manufacturer Archwood Group in Chirk, behind the Richard Burbidge and Atkinson & Kirby brands, has achieved Year 4 Certification from Planet Mark - which verifies carbon reporting and recognises year-on-year progress. This marks the fourth consecutive year of independent carbon footprint measurement for the Group, reinforcing its commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050. Since first partnering with Planet Mark in 2021, Archwood has delivered a 73% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions versus its baseline year. Read more: 'Wrexham has no plan' - Chief warns risk of speculative housing developments As part of its Year 4 certification, Archwood has reported a further reduction in operational emissions, cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions (different categories of greenhouse gas) by 18.3% compared to the previous year. These reductions have been driven by continued investment in on-site solar power, renewable energy supply, energy efficiency projects and new machinery across its Chirk and Livingston sites. The Group continues to lead on sustainable manufacturing through a series of targeted initiatives, including: • A 1MW solar PV installation, now supplying over 40% of the company's electricity; • A long-term Power Purchase Agreement for 100% renewable energy from UK sources; • Upgrading 95% of its forklift truck fleet to zero-emission electric vehicles; • Improvements to energy efficiency across machinery and site infrastructure. In addition to operational emissions, Archwood is actively addressing its Scope 3 footprint, which accounts for 95% of total carbon emissions. A recent reassessment showed a 46.8% reduction in Scope 3 emissions over two reporting periods. The business continues to work closely with key timber and logistics suppliers to support them in developing formal carbon reduction plans. Currently, 98% of timber used is FSC and/or PEFC certified, with a target of reaching 100% by 2027. Read more: Josh Burbidge, managing director of Archwood Group, said: "Securing our Year 4 Planet Mark certification reflects the real, measurable progress we're making. We know that sustainability is now a business-critical priority - for our customers, our suppliers, and ourselves. We're committed to leading by example through verified action, not just ambition. "Planet Mark doesn't just validate our carbon reductions - it connects us to meaningful environmental partnerships. Through our certification, we're proud to support Cool Earth, a charity that works with rainforest communities to halt deforestation, and the Eden Project, which educates and inspires people to work towards a more sustainable future." With four consecutive certifications now achieved, Archwood continues to set a benchmark in the timber manufacturing sector - combining environmental leadership with operational efficiency, supply chain collaboration, and long-term commercial resilience.
BBC News
25-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Community shop near Bristol run entirely by volunteers gets King's Award
A village shop has been presented with the King's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local volunteer groups in the UK and equivalent to an Community Shop in Bristol has been entirely run by volunteers since it opened in 2009. The ceremony was held on 24 May, when Edward Gillespie OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, formally presented the award on behalf of the Brian Wyatt said it was a "wonderful recognition" of the volunteers. Residents gathered for the ceremony, with Deputy Lieutenants Susie Hewson-Lowe and Caroline Penley also in attendance. Mr Wyatt said: "Our community shop is entirely run by an amazing team of volunteers. "They not only keep the shop running smoothly but also offer a friendly face to everyone who walks through the door. "In doing so, they've created something truly special – a warm, welcoming place that sits at the heart of the village. The King's Award for Voluntary Service was established in 2002 to celebrate the work of volunteer groups making a significant impact in their communities. The shop was among 281 groups selected last year to receive the award.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Northampton online retailer wins King's Award for enterprise
An online business that began with only £10 has been recognised with a King's Award for enterprise in international trade. Sol Retail, based in Northampton, was founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Barry and Katy Tong, and started by selling ornaments and DVDs on eBay. It is now ranked among the top 100 sellers on Amazon UK and the EU. The King's Awards for Enterprise celebrate outstanding achievements by UK Tong, CEO of Sol Retail, said: "This award is a landmark, not just for Sol Retail, but for the vision and perseverance that's brought us here. When we started the business in a flat with £10... we never imagined we'd be where we are today." The business started when Mr Tong had to clear his grandmother's bungalow after she had passed partner, now wife, Katy, suggested putting them items on eBay and the business there the company began selling more products online in the UK, and the overseas, with Mr Tong leaving his job in 2013 to work on the business full Sol Retail supports health, beauty and wellness brands sell and market products online, as well as retailing its own items and now has sales of nearly £20m per sells products via Amazon across the world, as well as in Walmart in the US and other retailers in the UK including it works with include Ted Baker, Yardley and King of its commercial growth, Sol Retail donates to charities including Northampton-based Lewis Foundation, which provides gift packs to adult cancer patients in hospitals across Northamptonshire and the includes giving over £500,000 in unwanted stock to the Lewis Foundation to sell in its Tong added: "The King's Award for Enterprise recognises the passion, grit and innovative thinking that our team bring to the table every single day, and it marks just the beginning of our journey to £50 million and beyond."Two other Northamptonshire firms also received the Kings Award: Enovation Consulting Ltd, a management agency in Silverstone, and Ziggurat XYZ Ltd, a talent and creative agency in Northampton. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
