Local group presented with King’s Award for Voluntary Service

20 February 2024

Long Term Conditions Hebrides (LTCH) celebrated receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service at a presentation ceremony in Stornoway.

The organisation received a beautifully engraved crystal, together with a bespoke certificate that includes the King Arms and signature, by Western Isles Lord-Lieutenant Iain Macaulay.

Receiving the award on behalf of LTCH, chairperson Adele Wright stated: “We feel very privileged and honoured to accept this prestigious award on behalf of Long Term Conditions Hebrides.

“We are thrilled to have the vital services we offer acknowledged by His Majesty.

“From the Butt to Barra, LTCH provides free daily support to people living with long term conditions. I would like to thank our nominator, our support letter writer’s ,funders, past and present, for their continued support and most importantly, I extend my thanks to our valued voluntary committee members, without whose commitment, we could not provide the services we offer. Today is a celebration of how far we have come as a local charitable organisation."

Comhairle convenor, Kenny Macleod, said: “Since the organisation was set up in 2018 it has provided valuable support and encouragement on a weekly basis to those that have Long Term Conditions.

“This was the first time that such a group was set up in the Hebrides, and arose from the results of a survey that was carried out among patients with LTC.

“It is also encouraging that the management committee of the organisation are all volunteers who dedicate their valuable time for the wellbeing of others. Since the Covid pandemic the sessions have moved from face-to-face, to online, which has given more patients the opportunity to become members and receive valuable support from this group.”

Iain Macaulay remarked: “This year is noteworthy because we are marking the first King’s Awards, following 20 years of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services. Equivalent to an MBE, the KAVS is the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and is awarded for life.

“LTCH is one of the 262 voluntary groups from across the UK who received the award, twenty of which are from Scotland. All those involved are to be congratulated on being awarded this prestigious honour.”

Presentation to the other Western Isles KAVS winner, SHARE in South Uist, will take place in Uist this Friday.