DELIGHTED volunteers and staff at a Dawlish-based charity received an award from King Charles III.

Assist Teignbridge were announced as winners of the King's Award for Voluntary Service in November.

Now they have been presented with the award by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Devon David Fursdon. 

The award was presented to volunteer co-ordinator Chrisi Marshall at the celebration event held at the Manor House. 

The charity received a crystal award and framed certificate signed by the King.

The award recognises the outstanding contribution the charity’s volunteers make to benefit and support people in the local community. 

A spokesman said: ‘We are so honoured and proud to be a recipient of the award and say thank you to all our volunteers, pass and present, who have gone above and beyond and made this award possible.’

The King’s Award is the highest award a voluntary group can receive and is the equivalent to an MBE. 

Assist Teignbridge provides information and advice and, through the recruitment and training of volunteers, a range of free support services to older people at risk of a deterioration in health and wellbeing. 

Manager, Shirley Fewings, herself an MBE, said last year: ‘To say I am thrilled and delighted that our volunteer centre’s work has been recognised is an understatement. 

‘I know how committed the volunteers are and how much time they donate to support those in need. 

‘To have their hard work recognised in this way is wonderful.’ 

The charity offers a wide range of support including befriending, emergency shopping and dog walking and benefit checks. 

The charity also provides a range of services across the whole of Teigbridge including a home care and sitting service to support individuals and enable carers to take a break; a nail trimming service in people's homes or at a central venue in Dawlish; and a home help service for those who struggle to manage household tasks.

Feedback from service users has been overwhelmingly positive and its users are glad to know someone is ‘keeping an eye’ on them, who they can talk to about issues that may be causing concern.

Recipients are announced annually on November 14, The King’s Birthday.