A SECOND MORAY voluntary group are celebrating after being named as recipients of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.
Yesterday insideMoray reported that the Elgin Rotary Club was to receive the honour – it has now emerged that they will be joined by the Findhorn-based ‘Wild Things!’ outdoor experience group.
For the last 12 years Wild Things! have developed and delivered a unique range of quality outdoor learning experiences for children, young people and adults. Their courses enable participants to gain awards and qualifications, as well as support an increase in health and wellbeing, whilst engaging in the great outdoors.
Working with most of their clients over a period of time to improve confidence and maximise benefits, many of the teenagers trained by Wild Things! return as peer volunteers to share their skills with others – while many of their adults work with them as volunteers on their Blue Gym Conservation project, removing invasive plant species in support of native wild flower restoration.
Jennie Martin and Ellen Packham from Wild things! have been invited to attend a garden party at Holyrood on the July 1 where they will meet the Queen and other winners of this year’s award.
Wild things! are to formally receive their award from the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Grenville Johnston Esq OBE TD CA later this summer. Speaking on his behalf Major General Seymour Monro said: “I am really thrilled that the Queen has recognised Wild things!
“They have been doing so much for so many people over the past 12 years. They go from strength to strength, and are making an enormous contribution to our communities and the natural world in Moray and beyond.”
Jennie Martin, founder and executive director of Wild things! said: “This is such a great accolade for Wild things! in recognising the generous work of our volunteers and for the work of the team.
“We are just delighted to be receiving such a prestigious award and want to thank everyone who put us forward for it, in particular Major General Seymour Monro.”
Both Moray recipients of the award were last night congratulated by Moray MP Angus Robertson, who said: “My congratulations on achieving the accolade of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service go to everyone involved in Elgin Rotary and Wild Things! both past and present as it is the result of continuous effort in the community over a long time.”
Richard Lochhead MSP added: “It seems apt that this announcement has been made the same week that the Elgin Rotary organised Marafun takes place – one of the fantastic charitable events organised by the club.
“I hope the community will help them celebrate this award by turning out in huge numbers to support their fundraising efforts and add my congratulations to Wild Things! for the fantastic work they have undertaken over the last 12 years.”