4th Crosby (St William of York) Scout Group, a group of volunteers based in Thornton, Merseyside, have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. 

This award recognises the contribution of the leaders and adults working with their local community to provide a diverse range of opportunities for young people to develop skills for life while enjoying the adventures of Scouting.

4th Crosby (St William of York) Scout Group is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them. 

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and, was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. 

“It is truly an incredible honour to be recognised in this way for the efforts made by our team in our community. We have the most amazing group of adults that you could ever dream of working with. They are committed to delivering the best opportunities to challenge our young people, teaching them skills that will raise aspirations and prepare them for the future. They consistently go above and beyond and are a credit to our organisation. This award will mean so much to our young people, adult volunteers, trustees and parents, we are delighted to receive it. Thank you to everyone who contributes to make the 4th such a special place to volunteer, we hope to continue to make a difference in our community.“

– Catherine Ashcroft , Group Lead Volunteer

Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a mental health and wellbeing support network for veterans and their families in Yorkshire; a group preserving a historic 12th century castle in south Wales; volunteers providing English lessons for refugees in Stirling and an organisation providing a opportunities to engage in the arts for people with learning disabilities in County Fermanagh. 

Representatives of 4th Crosby (St William of York) Scout Group will receive the award crystal and certificate from Mr Mark Blundell, Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside early next year. In addition, two volunteers will be invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award. 

“It’s absolutely phenomenal to have a handful of our incredible adult volunteers from Crosby recognised in this years King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Across Merseyside we have over 2,000 Adult Volunteers giving up countless hours a week, and this KAVS to our amazing leaders in Crosby just goes to show that this dedication to Preparing Brighter Tomorrows for over 7,000 Young People doesn’t go unnoticed.”

– Matthew Jones, County Team Lead – Volunteering Development