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IN PICTURES: Royal couple present ‘highest honour’ to Moray voluntary group

Volunteers at the Moray Food Plus with the prestigious Queen's Award along with the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Forfar. Picture by Jason Hedges.
Volunteers at the Moray Food Plus with the prestigious Queen's Award along with the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Forfar. Picture by Jason Hedges.

Moray Food Plus was presented with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by the Earl and Countess of Forfar for their dedication throughout the last two years.

Staff and volunteers have been working hard to keep up with demand as the cost of living crisis and the pandemic continue to squeeze households across Moray.

Between April 2021 and March 2022 they received 3,002 referrals and supported 6,728 people of which one-third were under the age of 16.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest honour that a voluntary service can receive in the UK.

Around 244 organisations have been awarded this honour across the country, with Moray Food Plus being named as an essential service in Moray.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex  help pack a parcel for the Moray Food Plus. Picture by Jason Hedges.

Met by voluntary development manager Gillian Pirie, the royal couple aided volunteers in putting together emergency food parcels sent out to people.

Ms Pirie explained the work being carried out at Moray Food Plus is to supply households with enough basics during the cost of living crisis.

She said: “We are delighted that the volunteers’ hard work and dedication has been recognised with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

“Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do and we can’t thank them enough for their unwavering support of our service.”

The countess helped pack a parcel for people who don’t have the money for hygiene products.

The 11 volunteers presented to meet the royal couple said they were honoured to be recognised for their work every day.

The commotion brought crowds out onto Elgin High Street where the Earl and Countess spoke to people and even petted a dog.

The Earl of Wessex  met with the people of Elgin on the High Street. Picture by Jason Hedges.
Voluntary development officer, Gillian Pirie receiving the award on behalf of Moray Food Plus from the Countess of Wessex. Picture by Jason Hedges.
The royal couple were eager to help volunteers with packing up food parcels to send to those in need. Picture by Jason Hedges.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex spoke to volunteers at the Moray Food Plus. Picture by Jason Hedges.

 

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