A QUEEN’S AWARD for voluntary service has been awarded to a Moray organisation that has worked tirelessly for the community for 89 years.
The Rotary Club of Elgin have been recognised with the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the United Kingdom.
The club is one of 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year, with the number of awards handed out to groups having increased by over 60% from 2014.
That is due to an increase in high quality applications – demonstrating that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to tackle community challenges.
Elgin Rotary President Lawrence Fraser and his wife Julie will attend a garden party at Holyrood on Wednesday, July 1 where they will meet the Queen and other winners of this year’s award.
Mr Fraser said: “This prestigious UK award recognises the wide range of projects that our Rotary Club has delivered over many years both locally and internationally.
“The Rotary motto is ‘Service above self’ and we continually strive to serve our community.
“Marafun this coming Sunday will see many diverse organisations coming together, with every corner of Moray benefiting from the funds raised.”
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE, 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 best of democracy in action.”
The Rotary Club of Elgin will receive their award from the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Lt Colonel Grenville Johnston later this summer.
Lt Col Johnston said: “I have admired the work of this club for many years. They not only raise money for many good causes but assist charities to achieve their aims as well.
“They have an amazing record of community spirit which results in such events as the Motorfun in the Cooper Park, the Queen’s Jubilee party and support for the Moray Scanner Appeal.
“This weekend they are organising one of the major events in Elgin, the Marafun, which involves teams running for charity. I hope as many people as possible will support the event which is great fun and will fill the centre of Elgin.
“I am delighted that they have been recognised with this award.”