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In conjunction with the 60th anniversary of The Queen鈥檚 Coronation, 117 outstanding UK volunteering groups are today (2 June 2013) honoured as recipients of The Queen鈥檚 Award for Voluntary Service 2013.

This unique UK national honour was created over a decade ago by Her Majesty to mark the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and to recognise the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups of volunteers; it has an equivalent status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals.

Her Majesty is pleased to announce a range of recipients including The Lantern Club in Buckinghamshire who provide respite and day care activities for elderly people with memory problems who are socially isolated and Nowt2Do Project in Greater Manchester which organises after school activities to reduce anti-social behaviour. The award is overseen by the Office for Civil Society, in the Cabinet Office.

Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society said:

I would like to congratulate all those who received this year鈥檚 Queen鈥檚 Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their achievements. Having met some of them recently, I was struck by their passion and motivation and hope they will inspire others around them to get involved in volunteering and make a positive impact in their communities.

PC Andy Wright from Greater Manchester Police said:

Greater Manchester Police, local schools and everyone involved in the 鈥楴owt2Do鈥� project is delighted to be awarded a Queen鈥檚 Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups. To receive the highest national honour that can be bestowed upon groups like 鈥楴owt2Do鈥� is just amazing. Any person who has volunteered or been involved, in any way with our project over the years should be proud of themselves. We create many different activities for young people who are exceptional people doing exceptional things.

Those receiving the award this year were selected from 270 groups nominated by members of the public who have seen the difference the volunteers have made to the lives of others or witnessed the benefits of a group鈥檚 work in their community.

The Queen鈥檚 Award for Voluntary Service Award Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE added:

This year鈥檚 winners of the Queen鈥檚 Award for Volunteering have been judged the best in an impressive galaxy of volunteering talent. The achievements of these groups prove that volunteering in embedded deep in our nation鈥檚 DNA. At grassroots level in communities across the land, there are millions of citizens identifying and tackling issues and problems that affect our society in all kinds of ways. They are the finest examples of democracy in action, giving selflessly of time and effort to make our country better for everyone. It is people like these who provide a fine incentive for even more of our citizens to join Britain鈥檚 great and growing volunteer army.

Winners will receive a certificate signed by The Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty鈥檚 Lord-Lieutenants in their counties at special ceremonies arranged by the Lieutenancy offices and in the countries of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The Lieutenant Governors of the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey will also make individual presentations.

On 29 May 2013 a number of recipients from the last decade of this prestigious UK national honour, which recognises and sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, came together at a celebratory event at St James鈥� Palace to meet The Queen.

The first Diamond Jubilee Award launched exclusively last year to coincide with celebrations of ; one of the recipients was the Olympian and double Commonwealth Gold Medallist Adam Whitehead, who attended the event on behalf of The Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, a Diamond Jubilee Award recipient.

Find out how to nominate a group on 188体育.