VOLUNTARY group Grassington Hub is celebrating after receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The hub, a charity which aims to support the residents of Upper Wharfedale and those who visit by providing facilities for social welfare and recreation, says it proud to receive the highest award open to voluntary groups in the UK.

Its services include the community library and cinema, men’s shed project, lunches, shopping trips, storytelling, knit ‘n natters, and community transport.

During the current coronavirus crisis, it is providing the community with additional advice, help and support, including delivering prescriptions, newspapers and food boxes, shopping, applying for emergency food grants, and making about 40 befriending phone calls every week.

Dr Andrew Jackson, hub chairman, said: “We are delighted and honoured to receive this award which recognises the hard work and commitment of all our volunteers past and present.”

The hub is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.

The award recognises the outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities, and was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Representatives of Grassington Hub will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire later this summer. In addition, two of the volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May, next year, along with other recipients of the award.