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Ripon community group presented with royal accolade

Tuesday, 18 March 2025 10:08

Ripon's Community Poppy Project is presented with the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. (Images: Gary Lawson)

Ripon’s Community Poppy Project was presented with its Kings Award for Voluntary Service yesterday (Monday).

The award, which is equivalent to an MBE, is the highest honour a voluntary group can receive.

It was announced that the group would receive the award in November last year.

And yesterday saw a visit from The Lord Lieutenant Jo Ropner and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Richard Compton for the official presentation.

A spokesperson for the Ripon Community Poppy Project said:

“It was such a special day and a great honour to receive the award on behalf of the Ripon Community Poppy Project, this award belongs to the community of Ripon."

The group was formed in 2018 with three distinct aims: to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, to help local businesses by encouraging more visitors to the city and to bring the local community together.

Since then, the group has grown into the large voluntary team it is today, celebrating and commemorating major occasions from Remembrance to the Kings Coronation.

They were also behind creating the full-sized knitted tank displayed in the city to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Stuart Martin MBE, Chairman of the Ripon Community Poppy Project, said:

“This is truly a great honour for our group for which we are delighted to receive, but without the help and support over the years of local businesses, local groups and individuals, none of our work would have been possible.

"We want to thank the whole community of Ripon for helping to make Ripon Community Poppy Project such a success.”

Outstanding examples of voluntary work are celebrated every year through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award highlights the fantastic work of voluntary groups from all across the UK.

Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and are awarded for life.

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