Liverpool charity receives King's Award for Voluntary Service
It's the highest award a voluntary group can receive
A Liverpool suicide prevention charity has received The King's Award for Voluntary Service.
Samaritans Liverpool and Merseyside has been recognised by the monarch, on his birthday, for its work to support people in distress.
It's the highest honour a voluntary group can get and is the equivalent of a person getting an MBE.
The charity has more than 150 volunteers at its branch in Liverpool, who give up their time to provide round-the-clock support.
Director Helen Gilbert said:
"I am delighted that the amazing work and commitment of our volunteers has been recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
"Our fully-trained listeners are at the other end of the phone every day and night of the year, giving emotional support to anybody struggling to cope, and providing a safe place for people to talk about their feelings in confidence and without judgement.
"We also provide face-to-face support for people who want to speak in person, as well as an email service for people who would prefer to write to us, and we know from the feedback we receive how much our callers value what we do.
"Our volunteers also regularly go out into the community – attending hospitals, train stations, businesses and events – to reach out to people who may need our support, and it is our work in this area that really caught the eye of the judges."
The branch is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the award.
It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee and was continued following the King's accession to the throne.
Representatives from Samaritans Liverpool and Merseyside will receive the award from Merseyside's Lord-Lieutenant, Mark Blundell, in the spring.
Two of the volunteers will also attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year, which coincides with the charity's 65th birthday.
Samaritans can be contacted any time for free on 116 123.