A Ross-on-Wye based charity, Hope Support Services, accepted their Queens Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), which has been hailed as the MBE for volunteer groups, on Tuesday, October 20th.

The award ceremony was hosted at Ross Baptist Church, and Lady Darnley, the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, presented the award to the charity.

The QAVS is highest award which can be given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. Hope are among just 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The charity was outlined for the award as a result of the tireless work of their Youth Management Teams and other volunteers.

Hope received a great deal of support and mentoring throughout the QAVS process from Paul Deneen OBE JP DL and Former Mayor, Mrs Joyce Thomas MBE DL.

The ceremony was followed by a video and presentation from Hope’s Y-Team, celebrating and detailing some of their achievements over the last 12 months. Hope’s version of a Royal garden party tea was then served.

For the full write up, and lots more pictures, see next week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, out on Wednesday, October 28th.