Upbeat Heart Support Group, which is based in Bury St Edmunds and Long Melford, has been recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The organisation is voluntary run and works in the community providing rehabilitation exercise classes and support for people with heart-related illnesses and has been providing rehabilitation for heart patients and their carers for over 20 years.

The group offers three sessions of exercise classes on four mornings a week plus one evening.

A cardiac nurse and a cardiac instructor are in attendance giving members the confidence to exercise in a safe environment.

Chairman Sylvia Baker and secretary Hilary Neeves were invited to a Garden Party, at Buckingham Palace, along with other winners of this year’s awards which is classed as the equivalent of the MBE for volunteer groups.

Sylvia said: “I am absolutely thrilled at this fantastic honour which represents a tremendous achievement for all members of Upbeat and everybody involved should feel immensely proud of the recognition this award represents.

“A signed certificate from Her Majesty will be presented at a later date by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk. Well done everybody.”

And Hilary added: “This award represents a tremendous achievement for the organisation.

“Not only for the people in charge now but for those that set it up in the beginning and for all the volunteers that have followed on during the years.

“We feel immensely proud of the recognition that this award represents.”