Dunbartonshire Dunkirk volunteers win charity MBE

A Dunbartonshire charity restoring a Loch Lomond pleasure boat, which was used to rescue stranded soldiers during the Dunkirk evacuation in World War Two, has been awarded the charity equivalent of the MBE.

The Skylark IX Recovery Trust is one of 231 charities across the UK  to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The award is national recognition and celebrates the exceptional commitment, skill and compassion of volunteers, who work tirelessly to protect the legacy of the historic Dunkirk Little Ship Skylark IX while supporting people across West Dunbartonshire through recovery, boatbuilding and community programmes.

Over the coming months, representatives of Skylark IX Recovery Trust will formally receive the Award from the Lord-Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, Mrs Jill Young MBE, and two charity volunteers will be invited to attend the Royal Garden Party in 2026.

Mary Burch BEM, Chair of Skylark IX Recovery Trust, said:

‘We are deeply honoured to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Our volunteers are the heartbeat of Skylark IX — honouring her legacy while helping people in our community find hope and recovery. This award is a meaningful reflection of their compassion, resilience, and belief in the power of community.

‘We extend our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, supporter, partner, and friend who has been part of our journey. This recognition truly belongs to them — a celebration of the dedication and care that make West Dunbartonshire such a strong and inspiring place.”

Anne Dyer, Depute Director of Alternatives, Dumbarton a community-based drugs recovery programme, and advisor to the Trust, said:

“It has been a privilege to work alongside Skylark IX Recovery Trust and witness first hand the impact volunteers from Alternatives and the wider community make every single day. The blend of heritage, recovery, and community spirit is unique, and the volunteers are the driving force behind that success. The time and commitment our volunteers offer doesn’t just support Skylark IX — it creates real pathways of hope and recovery in our community.”

A local charity set up to help the community during the COVID pandemic and which still supports tens of thousands of people, has received one of the UK’s highest honours.

Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels (OKFP) was founded in May 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, when volunteers began collecting and delivering prescriptions to vulnerable families who were unable to leave their homes.

Since then, the charity has grown into a vital community service, providing emergency food and toiletries to more than 42,000 people.

Founder Maureen Cummings said, 'what began as a simple act of kindness during lockdown has become a lifeline for so many. This award belongs to every single one of our volunteers who have given their time, heart, and energy to help others.'

Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels was officially presented with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2024 at a special ceremony at Clydebank Town Hall.

Maureen added, 'receiving the award, surrounded by our team and community, was incredibly special. We’re honoured beyond words.'

Representatives from OKFP received the award crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, Mrs Jill Young MBE, in recognition of their extraordinary dedication to supporting vulnerable people across West Dunbartonshire.

It marks the first time in eight years that a voluntary group in the Dunbartonshire area has received this honour. It is hoped that OKFP’s recognition will inspire further nominations, as many local voluntary organisations continue to carry out vital work deserving of such recognition.

Organisations can be nominated for awards by contacting the Lieutenancy on Dunbartonshire.Lieutenancy@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or 0141 578 8082,

The prestigious accolade – created in 2002 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and continued by His Majesty King Charles III – honours outstanding contributions by local volunteer groups across the UK. OKFP is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations to receive the award this year.

OKFP was founded in May 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, when volunteers began collecting and delivering prescriptions to vulnerable families who were unable to leave their homes. Since then, the charity has grown into a vital community service, providing emergency food and toiletries to more than 42,000 people.

Mrs Jill Young MBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, added: 'Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels represents the true spirit of voluntary service. Their selfless efforts have made a real and lasting difference in the lives of so many across West Dunbartonshire. It was a privilege to present them with this well-earned honour on behalf of His Majesty The King.'

Provost Karen Murray Conaghan of West Dunbartonshire Council also praised the charity, saying: 'This award is a moment of immense pride for our area. Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels has shown what can be achieved when compassion and community come together. Their dedication has made a lasting impact on the lives of thousands, and their recognition at a national level is truly well deserved. I hope this inspires others to celebrate and support the brilliant volunteer groups working tirelessly across West Dunbartonshire.'

A local food bank charity, set up to help people during lockdown and which has continued to serve the local community, has won a top award for its work.

Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels, a group of volunteers based in West Dunbartonshire, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive and is equivalent to an MBE.

Founder Maureen Cummings, who is a Deputy Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, said, 'our committee is absolutely honoured beyond belief that our charity has been recognised in this way.  

'It is testament to the incredible work and dedication of over 150 volunteers who have given up their time to help others over the past four years. We are very proud of our OKFP Family.” 

OKFP initially started during the Covid Pandemic, collecting prescriptions and delivering them to vulnerable families who were unable to leave their homes. It then responded to a desperate need for food in the local community and the charity was born. In its first year it fed almost 4,000 people and has since provided food and toiletries to more than 37,000 people throughout West Dunbartonshire.

They are one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.  

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support  their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and, was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. This is the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a mental health and wellbeing support network for veterans and their families in Yorkshire, a group preserving a historic 12th century castle in south Wales, volunteers providing English lessons for refugees in Stirling and an organisation providing a opportunities to engage in the arts for people with learning disabilities in County Fermanagh.

Representatives of OKFP will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, Mrs Jill Young MBE, at a ceremony later this year.  

In addition, two members of the group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace along with other recipients of this year’s Award.