If all the volunteers in the country stopped work tomorrow our whole way of living would be at a standstill.

This message was at the heart of the Deputy Lieutenant of Ealing’s speech at The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service ceremony and encapsulates perfectly the job our volunteers do. Without them they would be no PACE. 

The ceremony took place at the Havelock Community Centre in Southall, where our wonderful Team Leaders and volunteers took home their certificates and crystal awards presented by the Deputy Lieutenant for Ealing, who was in full regalia uniform. PACE volunteers were also awarded an embossed Queen’s Award badge for their amazing work during the pandemic – providing multiple services like, henna, poetry, exercise classes and a weekly get together called PACE Pals. These sessions have helped our members cope and deal with the negative impacts the pandemic has caused. 

A special mention also to Dale Jones, who was participating in the Spartan Race, an intense endurance race which took place in Essex, starting at 7am, and was on the very same day as The Queen’s Award ceremony. After successfully finishing the Spartan Race, Dale rushed to Havelock to receive his award and celebrate with the other volunteers. This is just one of countless examples of the tireless dedication to PACE and its members. 

The Queen’s Award is the highest award in the UK a voluntary organisation can receive, equivalent to an MBE. A massive thank you to all the volunteers past and present who have helped PACE thrive and prosper in the last 17 years. This award is justification of the fantastic work you have done. Thank you!