Aberchirder and District Men's Shed receives Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
ABERCHIRDER and District Men's Shed members are "immensely proud" to have been awarded the highly-prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
Formed in 2016, the Aberchirder and District Men's Shed (ADMS) originally took over an area of derelict land from Aberdeenshire Council.
Now the group, which won the Scottish's Men's Shed of the Year Award in 2019, has become one of just 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the United Kingdom to receive this award.
Chairman Mike O'Brien said: "It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award.
"Our members are immensely proud and delighted that our villagers recognise the efforts we have made to create a safe and friendly environment where men can meet to make, talk, put the world to rights, drink coffee and help to foster a community spirit.
"Nominating our Shed, particularly during lockdown, highlights the exceptional relationship the Shed has with the Aberchirder and District community."
As well as providing an opportunity for men to meet socially, ADMS offers access to computers and the internet, as well as a facility for wood and metal working.
The group are active in the community, with volunteers stewarding regularly at the Ride of the North, providing power for the Christmas Lights and taking on small jobs at local schools and care homes.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, recognises outstanding work by volunteer groups.
Recipients are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.
Representatives of the Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed will receive the award crystal and certificate from Andrew Simpson, Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire, later this summer.
Furthermore, two volunteers from the group will attend a garden party at Holyroodhouse Palace in July 2022
Lord-Lieutenant Andrew Simpson added: “I am delighted the work of the Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed has been recognised in this way.
"They have made a significant difference to the lives of people in their community – not least during the period of the pandemic.
"They are very worthy winners of this prestigious award.
"I very much hope that we will see more of the excellent groups in historic Banffshire nominated for the award in the future.”
