Hundreds of volunteers and carers attended a special garden party at The Alnwick Garden yesterday, held to thank them for their hard work, dedication and commitment.  

 
The event was hosted by The Duchess, in her role as Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland, to recognize the valuable contribution that volunteers and carers make to the local community and loved ones.  

 

Two hundred and fifty volunteers and carers from across the county were invited to attend with their partners or a guest. Now in its seventh year, the event is thought to be the biggest of its kind in the region.   

 

Greggs provided a fantastic afternoon tea and guests were entertained by Robson’s Choice Northumbrian Pipers and The Vieux Carré Jazzmen. 

  

Fittingly, National Carers Week 2022 also falls in June and aims to raise awareness of the UK's 6 million unpaid carers, as well as celebrating the incredible contribution they make.  

  

Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland said: “There are so many extremely generous and extraordinary individuals in Northumberland who give up their time, selflessly, to help others in need. I hear so many moving stories of the things people do, for the benefit of others less fortunate, some working for charities, many just doing their own thing, frequently unnoticed, giving help where it is needed most.  This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to them for the really valuable work they do.  

 

“The Garden Party has been sponsored through generous donations from businesses based in the North East who want to join me in thanking our volunteers and carers and I, in turn, would like to thank all the donors who enable The Garden Party to take place.”  

  

This Garden Party could not take place without the significant support of a number of sponsors: Greggs, Malhotra Group PLC, Dr. Tony Trapp, The MGL Group, Sanderson Young, Tree Locate (Europe) Limited, Essity UK Limited, Living North, Potts Print (UK) Ltd  
Rington’s, Alnwick Castle Ventures, The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick Starbucks (23-5 Degrees), Diageo PLC, Fentiman's Ltd., The Barbour Foundation, Sir James Knott Trust, Marks & Spencer.  

  

During the afternoon, The Duchess presented, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) to four voluntary organisations:  Haltwhistle Partnership Ltd, Ashington Veterans and Elderly Institute, Berwick and District Cancer Support Group and Being Women.  

 
The Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK for outstanding work done in their local communities.  Information about the award can be found at www.qavs.direct.gov.uk/  Nominations forms are available to download together with guidance on how to apply.  This process is not overly complicated and community groups in Northumberland are urged to consider applying.