Eccles Rugby Club has received The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) – the equivalent of an MBE.
Run entirely by volunteers, the club received the highest award a local voluntary group can get in the UK on Thursday 14th November, the King’s birthday.
Over the last year, 128 volunteers at the club have spent more than 30,000 hours supporting grassroots rugby activities and delivering health and wellbeing benefits to people in the community.
Chairman of Eccles RFC Chris Gaffey said: “I am delighted that the work of our community club has been recognised by this prestigious honour, which pays tribute to the dedicated effort and commitment of our volunteers.
“Our volunteers can be immensely proud of their personal contribution to this tremendous achievement”.
The club has 21 teams for girls, boys, women and men and deliver a wide range of activities including Walking Rugby, Touch Rugby and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
Eccles RFC is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year, which recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities.
Other groups that have received the award in Greater Manchester include Leigh Miners Rangers Rugby League Academy, Bury Active Woman’s Centre, Besses Boy Band and Fireground.
This marks the second year of KAVS, originally created as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee.
Representatives of Eccles RFC will receive the KAVS crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Diane Hawkins.
Featured image: Eccles RFC receive KAVS, image by Eccles RFC.
