Coronation Awards Joy for a Friends of Maghull & District Volunteer from Maghull, Liverpool.

  • Dr Frank Sharp is one of 500 outstanding volunteers to be chosen as the nation’s Coronation Champions.

An outstanding volunteer from Maghull, Liverpool, has been recognised by Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort as part of the official Coronation celebrations in conjunction with Royal Voluntary Service.

Dr Frank Sharp volunteers with the Friends of Maghull & District CIC and has been recognised for his contribution and crowned a Coronation Champion. This follows a call out to the nation to nominate their volunteer heroes. Almost 5000 entries were received, with nominations made for individuals aged 14 up to 103.

Frank impressed judges with his environmental and social welfare achievements in galvanising and engaging the community to raise nearly a £100,000 to make countless transformative environmental improvements, planted 15,000 trees, obtained significant funding for a warm space, digital support for an advice centre for the vulnerable and inspired and supports an essential community magazine, and instrumental in establishing community artworks. (see Our Projects www.fomd.co.uk).

With the support of Her Majesty The Queen Consort, a passionate advocate of volunteering and President of Royal Voluntary Service, the Coronation Champions Awards were launched to recognise exceptional volunteers from across the country at this momentous point in history. Across the UK, 500 Champions dazzled the judging panel with the impact of their work, their inspirational stories and unwavering commitment to volunteering.

All Coronation Champions, including Frank, have been invited to attend one of the official Coronation celebrations, such as the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or a Coronation Garden Party. They will also receive a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by Their Majesties.

Commenting on becoming a Coronation Champion, Dr Frank Sharp said: “It’s an honour to be named a Coronation Champion. The Friends of Maghull & District all work hard to make a difference in our environment and community, it’s heart-warming to have my volunteering efforts recognised alongside all the supportive Friends of Maghull & District. Huge thanks to my very kind nominator HH John Roberts DL. Queen’s Green Canopy Project Lead at The Merseyside Lieutenancy.

Nevertheless, we are still a small group punching above our weight and we would be delighted to welcome others to our one hour ‘events’ or to receive ‘donations’ to support our meagre non-profit running costs. Please help us continue to make Maghull a better place to live, at www.fomd.co.uk.

I guess a posh new boiler suit will be needed!

The Coronation Champions Awards invited people across the UK to nominate their local volunteering heroes who are going the extra mile. Nominations were made across eight award categories; supporting older people; supporting young people and children; crisis and welfare; community; sports, culture, and heritage; health and care; sustainability and the environment; and animal welfare.

Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service said: “We were completely blown away by the response to the Community Champions Awards and the huge volume of amazing nominees put forward. Our judges had a tough job selecting just 500 Champions from an array of thousands of inspirational individuals, who all deserve to be recognised and commended. “

“Each of our Coronation Champions displayed a commitment and contribution that far exceeds any expectation and we’re overjoyed to honour and thank them during this exciting point in history.”

Royal Voluntary Service is immensely grateful for the generous support of brand partners Simplyhealth, for supporting the Health and Care category, Sky through its Sky Cares programme, for supporting the Community category and Petplan, for supporting the Animal Welfare category.

Those feeling inspired to try volunteering themselves are encouraged to take part in The Big Help Out on Monday 8th May. The Big Help Out is another official Coronation project, aiming to encourage newcomers to volunteering, bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation weekend.

Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with volunteers supporting the NHS and thousands of vulnerable people in the community. The charity delivers the NHS Volunteer Responders programme for NHS England, enabled by the GoodSAM app, with volunteers responding to over 2.5 million requests for help to support approximately 200,000 people, and completing over 363,000 shifts at vaccination sites. The charity also works in local communities running home libraries, companionship support, home from hospital services and patient transport. Its Virtual Village Hall provides online activities and classes to promote wellbeing and keep people active.

#fomd #Maghull #environment #CoronationChampionsAwards

Notes to Editors

About Royal Voluntary Service

  • Royal Voluntary Service is one of the largest volunteering organisations in Great Britain, providing vital, responsive services which support public health, social care and wellbeing. Its staff and thousands of volunteers support people in need, with the aim of building resilience in local communities.
  • Originally set up as the Women’s Voluntary Service (subsequently the WRVS) in 1938, the charity began its life helping civilians during the Second World War.
  • The charity has supported the NHS since its inception. Today’s Royal Voluntary Service NHS volunteers provide patient companionship and transport, on-ward exercise sessions, and settlement support for vulnerable patients following a stay in hospital.
  • In local communities, Royal Voluntary Service and its volunteers run physical activity classes, dining clubs and social groups which bring people together, promoting better health, social interaction and connection.
  • In March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, NHS England commissioned Royal Voluntary Service to recruit NHS Volunteer Responders to shield the NHS and provide practical help to the 2.5 million most at-risk people who were shielding at home. The programme was extended to support the vaccination drive. To date, NHS Volunteer Responders have delivered over 2.5 million tasks to support approximately 200,000 people, and have completed over 363,000 shifts at vaccination sites.
  • In hospitals across the UK the charity also operates volunteer-run shops, cafes and trolley services providing refreshments and company to patients, hospital staff and visitors.

For more information about Royal Voluntary Service, please visit  https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/