The Gate Charity officially received its Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at a garden party last week.

As the Advertiser reported earlier this month, two Clackmannanshire voluntary groups, The Gate and the Tullibody History Group, were awarded the top accolade by Her Majesty The Queen.

Despite grey clouds and winds, over 30 people came to the garden party for a juicy burger on Thursday (18 June), when Clackmannanshire’s Lord-Lieutenant Lt Col Johnny Stewart officially honoured the volunteers.

He said: “I am delighted we are here again, I was here last autumn when I came to hear about The Gate and to decide whether you were an organisation that should go forward to be recognised by the Queen in her Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and there was absolutely no question in my mind when I had spent about an hour here.

“Two nights ago I was with the Provost and one or two others at the Tullibody History Group, because they’ve also won, which is fantastic.” He told the crowd how since the awards began in 2002, around 2000 organisations are nominated each year throughout the UK, but many do not make it. He then highlighted that no voluntary group from Clackmannanshire has won the award before, adding: “It is absolutely fantastic that in 2014/15 we have two winners.

“As a group, led by Evelyn, you have served the needs of the community by offering practical help and I was absolutely amazed when I came to visit just what you do.

“I know you started small, but you have grown and grown and grown. And now, you are looking at spending a lot-lot more money, and I know for a fact that this area, Sauchie and Alloa, needs your help and you are very much giving it, which is excellent.” He also added that he recently met Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace and told her one of the highest points of his Lord-Lieutenantship was, and will be for years, the two voluntary groups receiving the Queen’s Award and that she was genuinely thrilled to hear that.

Located in the Old North Church at 2 Ludgate, the organisation began as a Soup Pot project around 12 years ago. Then, the Crisis Foodbank project was founded to help those in urgent need. The Gate became a full-grown charity in 2011.

Addressing her volunteers, Evelyn Paterson, chair of The Gate Charity, said: “This is a great day for us at The Gate.

“It has been a long haul to get here, to where we are today, a lot of hard work, a lot of commitment from a huge number of people, but we’ve made it and hopefully our projects are making a small difference in the community.

“None of it would be possible without you guys, everybody sitting here, our volunteers and their supporters and they do – each and every one of you – make a huge difference. I’ve got to say it is all thanks to you.” For their dedication, centre manager Marie Brownhill would like to thank Val Rose (treasurer), Rita McNeil (trustee and Soup Pot project leader), Alan Faulds (trustee), Anne Cairns (trustee) and Howard Townshend (trustee).

Provost Tina Murphy and council leader councillor Les Sharp were also in attendance.