ne.co.ukne.co.ukeTHREE charities from North Yorkshire are to be presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest national award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Barry Dodd will hold a presentation ceremony at Birdsall House, Malton, the home of Lord and Lady Middleton, on Thursday to recognise Ryedale Carers, Ryedale Youth Centre and Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre.

Ryedale Carers is a voluntary organisation and registered charity that provides practical and emotional help for carers, the Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre works to preserve the town’s history, and Ryedale Youth Centre encourages and instructs young people in all aspects of the performing arts.

Mr Dodd said: “These three organisations have excelled in serving their communities and I hope that their example will encourage people to nominate other groups from our county for this award. I look forward to meeting the groups personally on what will be a very special occasion”.

The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Groups winning the award receive a crystal bowl and invitations to a Buckingham Palace garden party. They are also able to display the award logo on their website and promotional material.

Other recipients this year include the North East Theatre Organ Association and County Durham-based organisations Veterans at Ease, for supporting traumatised veterans and disability charity Cafe JJo.