On Sat 9th September 2017, Ashmore Park Community Association celebrated the formal presentation of our Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by the Queen’s representative, Deputy Lieutenant Simon Topman MBE & Cadet Sgt Safiya Leith.

The Award was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen’s coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups.

Ann Wood, Chair of Ashmore Park Community Association said “I am bursting with pride. This is a great honour and privilege for our charity and all our volunteers, who work so hard to provide facilities and activities for others. They will be delighted to know that they are award winners. Not just any awards winners; they are now Queen’s Award Winners for Voluntary Service!

“Our Committee Members are delighted and everyone involved with the clubs and activities that take place in our Community Hub will also be when they find out.

“It’s not every day that a small voluntary organisation hears this sort of news, we are very eager to tell everyone!

“Our excitement is tinged with sadness as we lost one of our ‘guiding lights’ when Steph Clarke passed away so suddenly last year, aged just 36. Steph had worked hard to make our Community Association what it is today. She was at the heart of the work that has delivered this wonderful honour to the community she lived in.

“We will never forget Steph’s spirit and drive, and I know she will be with us on this wonderful day, and every other day as we all move forward.

“I am sure that every person and family on Ashmore Park who we serve, by keeping The Hub at Ashmore Park at the heart of community activity, will also be delighted to hear of our great news.”

We were joined at the formal presentation by many of the volunteers and supporters who have given their time and energy to make this award a reality, including founding members of the charity, which reached it’s 21st year in 2017.

We were also joined by the Wolverhampton Mayor Cllr Elias Mattu & his wife Asha, Wednesfield North Cllrs Phil Bateman, Mary Bateman & Rita Potter, as well as City of Wolverhampton Council MD Keith Ireland and his family.