Volunteers for MV Freedom officially presented with award from the Queen
The Friends of MV Freedom have had a special visit from the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset
MV Freedom's newest boat has officially named as part of a special ceremony held at Weymouth Harbour yesterday. (22 September)
The Lord Lieutenant for Dorset named the boat and presented volunteers with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
The MV Freedom has been offering disabled people trips out to sea along the Dorset coast since 1984. It recently acquired a new boat that allows it to take 6 wheelchair users out at a time.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.
It also comes with an invite for two volunteers to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2022.
The Chairman of the Charity Dirk Aldous said:
“Our charity has carried tens of thousands of passengers over the years, and we are delighted that Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant will be able to present the Award crystal and certificate, as well as formally naming our new boat.
"This recognition on top of the delivery of a brand new boat for this season after nine years of fundraising, will be a memorable milestone in the Charity’s history.
"It is a huge tribute to the hard work and commitment of our volunteers over many years, and particularly to the generous donations received from every element of the Weymouth and Portland communities and beyond.
"I hope that all our supporters will feel able to share with us, the continuing desire to ensure that our service to those living with disability is maintained and improved for many years to come”.