Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

‘Saturday 3rd September 2022 was a very special day- we were formally presented with our Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service!

Over 80 past and present volunteers representing the 32 year history of Age Concern Heathfield and District assembled for the event. The Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mr Andrew Blackman together with Deputy Lieutenant Mrs Chantal Wilson presented our Chairmen, Dawn Brock and Alan Hale, with this prestigious award.

The Queen’s Award is the equivalent of an MBE presented to community groups, and Dawn and Alan were keen to emphasise that the award was in recognition of all the hard work of our volunteers and therefore belonged to everyone who had volunteered over the years.

Entertainment was provided by the vibrant and wonderful Cake and Wine Club Choir led by Angela Marcella Murrell, and after toasting the future of Age Concern and all its volunteers, a delicious afternoon tea was served together with a glass or two of Prosecco.

We were extremely lucky to have the support of Chartwells who provided us with staff and savoury nibbles, which enabled all our Volunteers to relax and enjoy the afternoon whilst Jayne Willcocks and her team efficiently ran the kitchen and looked after our guests so well.

The afternoon concluded with a few words from Sue Jenkins, the daughter of Geoffrey Smith our founder member and all volunteers were presented with a special Queen’s Award lapel pin as a memento of the day.

We are all very proud and honoured to have been recognised in this way, and it will certainly be a day we will all remember’