King’s Award for Voluntary Service scooped by life-changing South West Ross Community Car Scheme activists
ACTIVISTS behind a transport service that gets people in a remote swathe of Ross-shire where they need to be have been acknowledged in their 20th anniversary year with the highest award for voluntary service.
South West Ross Community Car Scheme (SWRCCS) is made up from volunteers based in the communities of Kinlochewe, Torridon, Shieldaig, Applecross, Lochcarron, Strathcarron and Achnasheen.
Volunteers provide a vital service for those without access to public or private transport, taking telephone requests and enabling them to get to medical appointments, attend community events, have prescriptions delivered and generally get about. SWRCCS drivers support people to attend hospital appointments - which can be a return journey of over 130 miles.
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In their 20th year, the group has received The King’s Award for Voluntary Service - the highest accolade a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and the equivalent of an MBE.
The crystal award and certificate were presented by Ross and Cromarty Lord Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford at the Loch Torridon Community Centre in front of an audience of volunteers, trustees and supporters of the organisation.
Richard Munday, chair of SWRCCS, said: “This award is recognition of the dedication and huge effort that our wonderful volunteers put in getting people to where they need to be. Their efforts consistently support people in our communities to access the services they need. All the more fitting in our 20th anniversary year.”
SWRCCS is one of 262 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The scheme honours volunteers contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
