DEDICATED volunteers at a Reading charity have been recognised with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Reading Refugee Support, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, was originally set up by March 1994 at a Refugee Conference organised jointly by CAFOD, Reading International Solidarity Centre, Oxfam and Churches Together in Berkshire.

The organisation grew to provide support to asylum seekers and refugees in the Reading area, and it now reaches across Berkshire including West Berkshire, Wokingham and Windsor and Maidenhead.

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service aims to honour outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.

Award winners this year are very diverse, including volunteers helping people overcome mental health problems through sport, volunteers using caravans as mobile cafe/information centres in geographically remote locations and another group mentoring children who have a parent in prison.

Reading Refugee Support Group is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious national award this year.

Representatives from Reading Refugee Support Group attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May, along with other recipients of this year's award, and will receive the official accolade from James Puxley, Lord lieutenant of Berkshire later this summer.

Reading Refugee Support Group’s CEO, Nick Harborne, said: "This award is a reflection of the dedicated work, support and compassion so many volunteers have brought to RRSG over the 25 years we have been running.

"It is especially welcome in 2019 as RRSG marks its 25th anniversary.

"It is a double celebration.

"Some of our first volunteers are still involved with RRSG 25 years later showing the long standing loyalty, empathy and support the people of Reading and Berkshire have for the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. "RRSG is delighted that all our volunteers are to be recognised in this manner and add our heartfelt thanks on behalf of the many refugees they have served."

More information about Reading Refugee Support Group and their work can be found at www.rrsg.org.uk, or you can follow them on facebook, twitter or instagram @readingrefugees.