Fitmums & Friends receives The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

On the 14th November 2024, Local exercise group and charity, Fitmums & Friends Cottingham, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

Fitmums & Friends is honoured to receive the award for its volunteer-led work to help people be more active and feel more connected in local communities across Yorkshire. The charity’s network of local clubs offers a range of running, walking, cycling, family-friendly and junior athletics sessions which are fun and friendly, and suitable for all. Volunteer leaders can support complete beginners and those who already exercise regularly, so everyone is welcome: men and women (aged 16+), and all abilities. Fitmums & Friends also runs free programmes to support people through specific lifestyle and health challenges, such as the menopause and bereavement.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. Fitmums & Friends is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The work of these groups reminds us of all the ways in which fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Representatives of Fitmums & Friends will receive the award crystal and certificate from James Dick, Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire at a local ceremony. In addition, two volunteers from Fitmums & Friends will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next summer, along with other recipients of this year’s award.

Chief Officer and founder of Fitmums & Friends, Sam Barlow BEM said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Fitmums & Friends has been recognised with this incredible award. It is such an honour and a wonderful way of paying tribute to the commitment of our hundreds of volunteers who help change people's lives by improving health and well-being through activity”.