We are proud to announce that Addlestone Canoe Club has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Based on the edge of the picturesque Wey Navigation, Addlestone Canoe Club has been established for over 40 years. We are a registered charity run entirely by volunteers. Addlestone Canoe Club is a multi-discipline club that welcomes all those interested in paddle
sports from Whitewater, Sprint, Marathon Racing and Paracanoeing. Addlestone Canoe Club is probably the most diversified Club in the region, and we run programmes and instruction to suit beginners and advanced paddlers of all ages and abilities. Due to our location on the Wey Navigation, we have developed a special ethos of providing a wide variety of Canoeing experiences and opportunities for young people. Some of our young paddlers have gone on to represent Great Britain at International events while some adult members have participated in the renowned Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race.
The Canoe Club operates all year round and during the summer months the volunteer (Paddle UK qualified) coaches at the Canoe Club take out hundreds of local young people from various scout,
guide, church, youth and school groups including young carers and those with disabilities.
Addlestone Canoe Club is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Our 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 us.
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. 2024 marks 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 Addlestone Canoe Club will receive the award crystal and certificate from Michael More-Molyneux, Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey early next year. In addition, two volunteers from Addlestone Canoe Club will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Caroline Pemble, Chair of Addlestone Canoe Club said: “We are delighted that Addlestone Canoe Club’s work has been recognised. We are a multi-disciplined canoe club based on the edge of the Wey Navigation that provides safe, quality paddlesport activities, fitness and health opportunities for all. This is not possible without the hard work & commitment of all our volunteer coaches & club members.”