Perth & Kinross SSAFA – Queen’s Award
Borderers,
Not quite within our Regimental Area but close and with “Borderer influence”.
“The London Gazette has today –2 June 2018 – announced that the Perth and Kinross Branch of SSAFA- The Armed Forces Charity- has been awarded, by Her Majesty, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK, to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Queen’s coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups.
Any group doing volunteer work that provides a social, economic or environmental service to the local community can be nominated for the award. Each group is assessed on the benefit it brings to the local community and its standing within that community.
The Award recognises groups whose work has significantly benefited others and sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering by such groups. However, because of the Award’s high status, the assessment is thorough and rigorous so as to maintain the value of, and public respect for, the Award.
The Lord Lieutenant – the Queen’s representative- will later present the Branch with a certificate, signed by The Queen, and a commemorative crystal at a local ceremony. They are entitled, as of now, to use The Queen’s Award emblem on their website, stationery and other printed material.
Brigadier Mel Jameson CBE in a letter to the Branch today – “I could not be more proud of you, as your President, that you have achieved this, and send you all my very sincere congratulations and very warm thanks for all you do. As an ex Serviceman myself, I know full well what challenges the leaving serviceman and his family face once discharged , especially for many, sadly, on the mental health side. I know too the wonderful work you do in the 2 Prisons in our area, and commend you for that. Well done one and all. This is truly a wonderful day for your team”
Andy Middlemiss one of the Branch volunteers and ex KOSB– said :
“We could not be more thrilled , honoured and amazed that we have been recognised in this way – we are proud to do what we do for our Veterans community. We’d like to pay tribute to the other 91 SSAFA Braches in Uk- from North to South , for their work, and for the work of our full time staff in London, who give us the necessary back up to do what we do. Our Royal President, Prince Michael ,is a tireless supporter, and Her Majesty , with her close services’ connections, is our Patron to be proud of – she could not do more for this country.”