VOLUNTEERS at a Sedgley sight loss charity have received royal recognition for their hard work and dedication.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - often referred to as the MBE for volunteers - has been awarded to the team at Beacon.

Becky Sinar, the charity's volunteer co-ordinator was joined by volunteer Michael Tolfree at a celebratory garden party at Buckingham Palace last week, hosted by The Queen.

Becky said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been announced as a recipient of this fantastic award.

"I am so very proud of our wonderful team of volunteers; they work incredibly hard for our charity and it is wonderful to have their hard work recognised in this way.

"Beacon has been supporting local people living with sight loss for over 140 years and we honestly could not keep doing this without the support of our volunteers.”

Beacon's staff and volunteers were joined by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Sylvia Parkin and the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page to celebrate the achievement at the charity's headquarters in Wolverhampton Road East, on Tuesday (June 5).

During the event Arwyn Jones, the charity's chief executive, thanked all of the volunteers for their support, adding: “The gift that our volunteers give to people every week by donating their time and energy really is fantastic.

“Together our volunteers provide thousands of hours of unpaid work every year.

"They help in our charity shops, with our fundraising activities and events, as well as in our independent living centres, enabling people with sight loss to maintain their independence and interests.

"It is this incredible team of volunteers who help to make all of this possible.”