Kop Hill Festival organisers climb into the history books with royal award

This is the highest award a voluntary organisation can recieve.

Kop Hill Climb is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate HM The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

The Kop Hill Climb Festival takes place every year, this year marking the 110-year anniversary of the first race event to take place on the famous Buckinghamshire hill.

Run completely by volunteers the event attracts visitors from far and wide for the two day event and every year raises vital funds for local charities. Last year the event raised £106,000 and the total over the past 10 years exceeds £750,000.

Congratulating the organisation on their achievement, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, the official representative of HM The Queen for the county, said: “I am delighted to bestow this award upon the organisers of this event.

It is truly astounding that a group of volunteers can achieve so much year on year.

I’m sure I speak on behalf of all the community groups and organisations who have benefitted from their fund-raising efforts over the years when I say, well done and thank you.”

John Biggs, Kop Hill Climb Festival Organiser, commented: “It is a tremendous honour to receive this prestigious Award. Kop Hill Climb is run totally by over 300 incredible volunteers, characterised by their commitment, passion and skill, who together create a unique event only made possible by their sustained and selfless voluntary service.

Their efforts, since the revival of the event in 2009, have raised over £750,000 for local charities and good causes.”

Kop Hill Climb is one of seven organisations in Buckinghamshire to receive a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year. The other successful organisations are:

-Bosom Pals MK

-Cowper and Newton Museum Volunteers

-Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club (MMKAC)

-MK Snap

-Olney Rugby Football Club

-The Brooklands Centre, Newport Pagnell

Nominations for the 2021 awards are currently open. Any group of two or more people that has participated in voluntary work for more than three years can be nominated for the award. For more information visit: https://qavs.culture.gov.uk/ Nominations close on 25 September 2020.