London LGBT charity honoured with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
A London LGBT charity has been honoured with a top award for voluntary service.
London Friend is the country’s oldest LGBT charity, having been founded in 1972, and provides face-to-face support for people coming out or exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity; counselling; HIV prevention; drug and alcohol support; and training for professionals working with lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans (LGBT) issues.
It was announced today as one of the winners of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest honour in the UK for a voluntary group.
London Friend’s Chief Executive Monty Moncrieff said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this honour from The Queen.
“It recognises the incredible dedication of our over 100 hundred strong volunteer team who are at the heart of London Friend, delivering support to their communities.
“The LGBT sector simply wouldn’t exist without the thousands of volunteers who give their time. I want to thank everyone past and present who has volunteered with London Friend, your support is amazing.”
London Friend will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London later this summer.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee Chair Sir Martyn Lewis said: “I warmly congratulate all of the inspirational voluntary groups who have been rewarded for their community work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
“The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups.
“The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the very best of democracy in action.”
Minister for Civil Society Rob Wilson said: “I would like to congratulate all groups who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their fantastic achievements.
“The huge amount of work and commitment these organisations put into their local communities is surpassed only by the passion and motivation of the individuals who volunteer.
“I hope these groups continue to inspire others to get involved and make a positive impact so that we can continue to build a more compassionate society.”
