MARY Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge has been honoured with the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The Oldswinford hospice, which provides care for people with life-limiting and terminal illnesses across the Dudley borough, is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year.

Created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the award recognises outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their communities.

Winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Stevan Jackson, Mary Stevens Hospice Group CEO, said of the honour: "All at the hospice are absolutely delighted that the impressive abilities and tremendous work of our band of marvellously dedicated volunteers has been recognised with this, the most prestigious of awards.

"It is a fantastic tribute to their hard work and commitment, without which we would struggle to deliver services.”

Hospice volunteers Jean Wesson and Julie Turvey attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 15 on behalf of the charity, along with other recipients of this year’s Queen’s Award.

The accolade will be officially presented to the hospice by John Crabtree OBE, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, at an awards ceremony at Birmingham Hippodrome on Sunday October 20.

Stourbridge and District Youth Football League has also received the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.

The league is one of the largest grassroots youth football league in the UK and has been offering football for boys and girls from the age of seven to 18 for more than 30 years.

Lesley Cave, chairman of the league, was "delighted" to see volunteers in the organisation recognised for their hard work and dedication to provide football in a safe environment where children can make new friends, have fun and develop their skills.

Stourbridge News: Pauline Farley from the league attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May along with other award recipientsPauline Farley from the league attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May along with other award recipients

Representatives from the organisation also attended the garden party at Buckingham Palace last month with other award recipients and the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands will officially present the award this summer.