Citizens Advice Exeter volunteers celebrate national award

Citizens Advice Exeter celebrated its Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at an official reception hosted by The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor Councillor Cynthia Thompson on Wednesday 12th October at the historic Exeter Guildhall.

Attended by volunteers and staff of the charity, the reception was an opportunity to recognise the invaluable contribution that the volunteers of Citizens Advice Exeter make to their community.

The award is the most prestigious available to voluntary organisations and is the equivalent of an MBE for an individual. Exeter is the first Citizens Advice office in the region to have been bestowed with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Dennis Mardon, Chairman of Citizens Advice Exeter said: “Receiving The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is an honour and recognises the hard work and dedication shown by our team of volunteers who give their time freely to offer vital support to their community. Demand for our services continues to be high and the Award has helped us to further raise awareness of what we do.”

Lord Mayor Cllr. Cynthia Thompson said “Volunteers at our local Citizens Advice office make a valuable contribution to Exeter. I am delighted on this occasion to celebrate with all the staff this well-deserved Queens Award for Voluntary Service.”

The award was officially presented by HM Lord Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon on behalf of Her Majesty at a ceremony at County Hall last month where Dennis Mardon accepted the award on behalf of the charity.

Dennis said: “This Award has been a real boost for our volunteers; it means a huge amount to us and enables us to recognise the scope of the service we offer as well as the growth of our charity despite the straightened economic environment we current live in. We rely on the financial support of grants and donations and this Award helps us to highlight the value of our services.”