‘MBE’ honour for selfless volunteers

The Rossall Beach Residents and Community Group is one of just two groups in Lancashire to receive the prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Service for 2014.

The award, created by Her Majesty to mark the Golden Jubilee in 2002, acts as an MBE for groups of volunteers who work in their local community.

Chairman of Rossall Beach Residents and Community Group Jane Littlewood said: “I can’t say how thrilled we all are to have received this prestigious award.

“More than anything I’m so pleased with the recognition for the volunteers who have given so much of their time and work with such passion and enthusiasm.

“We’ve stuck together through thick and thin, and achieved such a huge amount – looking through the report for the assessors was proof of that – and we’ve made so many friends and had so much fun doing it.” The group was formed in the summer 2008 as a Residents Association in response to anti-social behaviour in the local area.

More than 200 people became involved, getting pavements and roads resurfaced, steps replaced to the beach, as well as new litter bins.

During 2012 the group worked with the Marine Conservation Society and got involved in a campaign to clean up bathing waters on the Fylde coast.

The prestigious honour recognises the outstanding voluntary contributions and achievement of those who spend their time helping others in the community.

Forty eligible groups were nominated for consideration in the North West, 18 of which were successful with just two of these being based in Lancashire.

The group has been invited to Buckingham Palace later this month and will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal.

The award will be formally presented to the group by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant at a date to be announced later in the year.