Group's delight at award
Volunteers from a popular South Staffordshire service which helps the community are celebrating after receiving a prestigious honour.
Wombourne Volunteer Bureau launched back in 1973 and has picked up the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - a group equivalent to an MBE.
The group runs clubs and helps people in and around the village who need assistance.
President Marjorie Kelly, herself an MBE, said she burst into tears when she found out the good news.
Two of her volunteers will attend a Queen's garden party today (TUE) to mark the achievement, while the group will also receive an award in the coming months.
The bureau was among 11 groups to be honoured in Staffordshire.
Mrs Kelly, aged 83, said: "It's absolutely wonderful news.
"We don't turn anyone away if we can help it.
"We take them to hospitals, doctors, anything we can and anyone who's used us in the past has been very complimentary.
"It's the icing on the cake and I still can't really believe it.
"Everyone's delighted with the recognition."
The current president has been with the group since its inception, carrying out a variety of roles including chairman and secretary.
The bureau has some 130 volunteers in total.
Lord Lieutenant Mr Ian Dudson CBE, CStJ who is Her Majesty's representative for Staffordshire and Mr Ian Lawson, chairman of Staffordshire County Council, added their congratulations to the worthy winners.
Mr Ian Dudson said: "I am delighted that another 11 groups in Staffordshire have received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service this year.
"This recognition is for each and every one of the hundreds of volunteers involved in these organisations and I send them my warmest congratulations.
Mr Ian Lawson said: "Well I'm absolutely blown away, 13 awards last year and 11 this year. Surely a record that can't be broken.
"This goes to prove that we are the best county in the country with the best voluntary organisations.
"I am delighted to be the chairman of such a wonderful county and I wish all the groups the very best of luck for the future."
The honour recognises outstanding voluntary contributions and 111 volunteering groups from across the UK received the award.
To date 49 groups from Staffordshire have now received the annual award since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
