A group of Suffolk volunteers who help elderly people and those with terminal illness to be treated at home were officially presented their Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service last night.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Queens Award For Voluntary Service by Groups in the Community.The Queens Award For Voluntary Service by Groups in the Community.

The Queen’s official representative in the county, the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston, handed the award to Hospice Neighbours representatives at a ceremony at Ravenwood Hall Hotel, near Bury St Edmunds.

The scheme, which is run by Bury-based St Nicholas Hospice Care, was announced as one of only seven winning groups from the East of England in June this year.

Volunteers help 120 to 150 people at any given time, providing companionship and assisting with household tasks that can feel overwhelming when people are unwell.

Yesterday’s ceremony saw Lady Clare officially thank hospice chief executive Barbara Gale and the charity’s president Reverend Canon Richard Norburn, presenting the award and certificate.

The award was set up in 2002 and recognises the achievement of groups who volunteer their own time to improve the quality of life and opportunities for others in their community.

In attendance and celebrating the volunteers’ achievements were Jane Storey, chairman of Suffolk County Council, Julia Wakelam, Deputy Mayor of St Edmundsbury and many other representatives and Hospice Neighbours supporters.

Lawshall resident Patricia Francis, who has advanced multiple sclerosis, benefits from the scheme.

She said: “It is wonderful that Hospice Neighbours have won this award and it gives a boost to the whole hospice.”