Callon Volunteers Party at Buckingham Palace » Housing » 24dash.com

Volunteers from the Callon Kids Community Club (CKCC) will be having tea at Buckingham Palace in July in order to receive the prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Service. The prestigious National Honour, which is equivalent to the MBE, sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering and gives recognition to the unsung heroes in our communities that play an essential role in our daily lives.

For CKCC to be recognised by Her Majesty the Queen is praise indeed, said Colin Makinson, Vice Chair for CKCC and Community Warden for Contour Homes which manages homes on the Callon Estate. This award is for everyone who has worked with the Club in the past and of course must be shared with the brilliant children of Callon.

The Award is only given to those groups where volunteers are judged to have regularly devoted their time to providing an outstanding level of help to other people.

Since establishing the Callon Kids Community Club, there has been a significant turnaround in the estates fortunes. CKCC has played an important role in making what was once a no go area into a thriving and vibrant community where young people can grow and develop in a positive, safe and caring environment.

The volunteers not only physically work with the children and young people of the Club but also prioritise local issues, consult with other agencies, address any concerns quickly, attract funding, celebrate achievements and of course listen to the childrens voices.

Colin Makinson said: The Club has overcome cynicism and mistrust to become one of the most successful organisations of its type. We have numerous business, community and support partners on board and most importantly the young people of Callon have a genuinely positive outlook for their future and are less inclined to be involved in anti social behaviour.

CKCC has been nominated for this award by Dr Alethea Melling MBE from the University of Central Lancashire who has worked with the Club on various projects and been very impressed with the way it operates.

Colin and three volunteer colleagues Paul Jones, Deborah Ferguson and Amanda Wylie will be attending Buckingham Palace on the 22nd July. Winners receive a certificate signed by The Queen and a commemorative piece of crystal for display at the groups main place of operation. The Awards are presented on behalf of The Queen by the local Lord-Lieutenant or Lieutenant-Governor and the four Callon volunteers are dusting off their posh frocks and best suits for the occasion.