NOBLE'S Hospital Volunteer Services has won The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
It is the highest award given to volunteer groups for outstanding work.
Noble's Hospital Volunteer Services is one of 130 winners of the award this year across the British Isles. It has received the award in recognition of the dedicated support provided to the hospital by members of the Manx public.
Volunteers donate their time and skills to fulfil a wide range of roles including welcoming services, clinic guides, library services, healing arts and dining companions.
The service has witnessed many changes over the years and now reaches out into community based projects such as Hear2Help.
Those receiving this year's award were selected from 413 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group's work in their community.
Noble's Hospital Volunteer Services will receive a certificate signed by The Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal presented by Her Majesty's representative in the Isle of Man, the Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood, at a special ceremony to be arranged by Government House.
The group, which gained an Investing in Volunteers award in 2008, has also received an invitation for representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in the summer.
Mr Wood said: "I was delighted to learn of this well deserved recognition and would like to take this opportunity to pass on my thanks and admiration to the volunteers who provide much needed support to those who use the services of Noble's Hospital."
Noble's Hospital Volunteer Services Manager Alison Lester added: "We are thrilled to receive this prestigious honour.
"The service was initially set up in the early 1990s as a welcoming service at the old hospital site at Westmoreland Road.
"Some of the original recruits are still volunteering today. More than 70 people currently volunteer for Noble's Hospital, and collectively donate on average 260 hours a week.
"The Isle of Man is very fortunate to have people within its community who willingly donate their time to many and varied volunteering activities. It is through this support that we have been able to maintain and develop our services."
Nine volunteer groups from the Isle of Man have now received this annual award since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Award committee chairman, former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis, said:
"Volunteer groups make such an important contribution to their communities, often without praise for the incredible job they do.
"In these difficult times their efforts are even more valuable.
"It's a pleasure to celebrate the achievements of Noble's Hospital Volunteer Services with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service and give official recognition for the benefits they bring to other people's lives."
In 2012 The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee year.
