Last year PACE was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at the historic Westminster Abbey – the first and only disability sports charity in London to have received one.

Being honoured with The Queen’s Award was due to a culmination of 18 years of hard work and dedication from our team leaders and volunteers. In May this year, PACE Founder and trustee, Krishna and PACE Head Coach, Sunil, were invited for afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace, meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. In June, PACE team leaders attended a special Church Service at Christ the Saviour’s Church to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  And on Saturday, 9^th July, PACE held a special celebration for its members who met for the first time back at the Havelock Community Centre since the first lockdown in March 2020 due to the pandemic.

Our special guests were the Deputy Lieutenant of Ealing, the Queen’s Representative, Richard Kornicki and the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Mohinder Midha, who both delivered amazing, heartfelt speeches. They also presented Team Leaders Amrit and Sonia with their certificates crystal awards and Team Leaders Alex, Reshad and Kavita with their PACE uniforms.

It was fantastic to see everyone reconnect with each other after such a long time apart, with delicious, freshly made Indian cuisine to help fuel the conversation. A massive thank you to Anil, from Sarashwathy Bhavan in Wembley, who made the mouth-watering Dosas.

At the end of his speech, the Queen’s Representative, Richard Kornicki set a challenge – try and beat him at a game of Boccia. Our PACE athletes were more than happy to take up that challenge.

The Queen’s Representative made his Boccia debut and…won for 4-2, scoring 2 points for his team in the process. The Queen’s Representative, as humble as ever, attributed his debut victory to “Beginners Luck”.

It was a fitting end to a terrific celebration. A massive thank you to everyone who made it feel so special. Thank you!!