LITERARY FESTIVAL AND INDEPENDENT LIFEBOAT HONOURED WITH KING’S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

2 groups of Island volunteers have been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), the highest award that a voluntary group can receive in the United Kingdom. The Isle of Wight Literary Festival has been recognised for its contribution to the education, cultural life and wellbeing of the community. Organised and stewarded entirely by volunteers, over 2000 visitors attend 50 lectures over a 4-day period each autumn. Those attending are given a great opportunity to study new areas of learning and to broaden their reading. The festival also supports a School’s Programme, which takes authors, illustrators, poets, and storytellers into schools to educate, entertain and inspire pupils. This year over 3000 pupils benefitted from the programme. Maggie Ankers, chair of trustees said:

“It is an honour to receive this prestigious award, which recognises and celebrates the enormous amount of work done by our volunteers to create this outstanding cultural event.”

Also recognised this year is the Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat (SSILB), which has existed in its current form for over 30 years, though the history of an independent lifeboat on the Island goes back to 1868. The lifeboat is called out some 40 times a year, thereby alleviating distress and saving dozens of lives at sea. The SSILB also benefits the tourist economy by providing safe beaches for holiday visitors and supports the community by educating young people about safety at sea. The charity receives no central funding and is entirely responsible for raising its own funds. Mark Birch, lifeboat coxswain, has said:

“We are truly honoured to receive this award; it means so much to us and recognises the hard work of the crew and fundraisers over the years. This is the best accolade we could have wished for”.

Representatives from both winning groups will receive their awards from Susie Sheldon, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, later this year; and 2 volunteers from each group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May or June 2024. The Lord-Lieutenant commented:

“I am delighted that the hard work of volunteers on the Island has been recognised again with these awards. I thank our 2 winners for their contribution to our community and congratulate them on this success.”

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

“Each year, millions of volunteers give up their time to provide care and support, and this award recognises those truly making a difference to the lives of others across the United Kingdom. “It’s brilliant to see the King continue the legacy of Her Late Majesty and reward those who support their local communities with kindness and compassion. Congratulations to all those who have been awarded.”