Northwest Ecological Trust is one of 103 UK volunteering groups to win The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups in 2010-2011.

The prestigious National Honour recognises outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others.  It sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged of the highest standard.

Northwest Ecological Trust has received the Award for its work developing Gorse Hill Nature Reserve, Holly Lane, Aughton with the dedication of local volunteers from the surrounding community.

Winners of this year’s Award were selected from 341 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community.

Northwest Ecological Trust will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's representative in Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth at a special ceremony.  The group has also received an invitation for representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in the summer.

Speaking of their success, Jonathan Atkins from Northwest Ecological Trust said:

”We are thrilled to have been given this award. It is recognition of all the hard work put in over the years by volunteers from the local community. Gorse Hill Nature Reserve started from barren fields 14 years ago and now has a wide variety of habitats and wildlife and has become a real asset to the community”.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Main Award Committee Chair and former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE said,

“Outstanding volunteer groups across the UK all too often go without recognition for the truly amazing work they do, despite the vital part they play in helping bind our communities together.  It’s a great pleasure to celebrate the efforts of Northwest Ecological Trust with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and help raise awareness of all they do for the benefit of others.”

More than 850 groups around the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man have now won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, over the eight years since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.