Volunteers at Alsager Community Support Centre in Lawton Road are celebrating today (Thursday) after being awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

And it's a double celebration for the centre's group founder, manager and volunteer, Liz Pinkney, who set it up more

than seven years ago, has also been honoured with a BEM.

The centre provides information, support, advice and practical help for people in any kind of need in and around Alsager and is holding a special celebration today to share their good news with the community.

It also runs a popular school uniform recycling scheme, a lost property service for Alsager, and an annual toy appeal at Christmas.

Along with Alsager and District Foodbank, it is an outreach project of Alsager Community Church.

"I am delighted that our group's work has been recognised. Since we first opened the doors

of our Support Centre building in January 2015, our volunteers have aimed to provide

friendly, confidential, and free support services for the benefit of everyone in the Alsager

area," said Liz.

"During the Covid pandemic, we recruited and trained over 150 extra volunteers to help

with much-needed tasks in the community, such as befriending, shopping, prescription

delivery and transport for elderly and vulnerable people, as well as marshalling at the

vaccination centre and lateral flow testing.

"Much of this work is ongoing, thanks to the generosity and kindness of our wonderful team

of volunteers, with support from our two part-time staff members, Rachel and Steph.

"Receiving the Queen's Award for Volunteering is a great honour for us all, and I would like

to thank everyone who has played their part in giving their time to help make a significant

difference to other people's lives.

Centre manager, Liz Pinkney, and Rachel White, Assistant Manager.

"We are always looking for more volunteers and also donations to enable our work to

continue. If you are interested in getting involved, or if there is any way we can help you,

please call in to our centre any weekday morning or contact us through our website."

Six Representatives of Alsager Community Support will receive the award crystal and

certificate from Lady Redmond MBE DL, Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, later this summer.

In addition, two volunteers from Alsager Community Support Centre will attend a garden party

at Buckingham Palace in May 2023 (depending on restrictions at the time), along with other

recipients of this year's award.