A GROUP of life-saving volunteers have received a prestigious award to recognise the work they do in the community.

The Stanford/Corringham and Tilbury Community First Responder Group was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – recognising the several hundred voluntary hours they put in every month.

The group is committed to teaching CPR and life support skills in the community, including to school children and community groups.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.

The awarding office told the group in a letter: “The work your group does for the community was very much admired by the independent Assessment Committee, chaired by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE and I am delighted to inform you that your group has been selected as a recipient for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) 2018.

“The award of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2018 represents a tremendous achievement for your organisation. We hope that everyone involved, and particularly your volunteers, feel immensely proud of the recognition that this Award represents.”

Group co-ordinator Sue Wilsdon said: “The group has been running for 11 years and has grown in strength. In recent years we have been given an additional call sign and area in the community to cover. The group provides several hundred voluntary hours every month responding to 999 calls, alongside being committed to teaching the local community CPR and life support skills.

“In the last year we have taught several hundred schoolchildren, fire service staff and FireBreak cadets, Scouts, bowling clubs and numerous community groups these skills and even have groups booked in for 2019.” The presentation was made by The Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.