A WEE COUNTY charity has been awarded the highest away a local voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The Alva Development Trust have received The King’s Award for their services to the town, with this merit the equivalent of an MBE.

Mary Laing, chairperson of Alva Development Trust, said: “I am delighted that our group’s work has been recognised, and I would like to thank all our volunteers who give so selflessly of their time to help the local community in so many ways.”

The Alva DT is one of 20 Scottish groups and charities to receive the award this year, joining an illustrious group since it was established in 2002.

The award was created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, with the king keen on continuing the practice.

Lord Lieutenant Johnny Stewart will present the award crystal to representatives of Alva Development Trust at a special ceremony in the new year.

He said: “The Alva Development Trust volunteers provided an outstanding level of vital support to the community of Alva and beyond during the COVID pandemic.

“Doing this from a standing start having only just taken over the running of the Cochrane Hall from the council made this an even more remarkable achievement.

“They have since then transformed a run-down but much-loved building in Alva that was due to be closed.

“It is now a vital hub at the centre of the community and is fully utilised and viable once more with further plans to extend the already extensive services provided.

“The trust is run entirely by volunteers of the highest quality who give phenomenal amounts of their time to provide much needed support to the disadvantaged in the community as well as providing a quality venue for many groups and organisations.

“The enthusiasm and dedication of all the volunteers is plain to see and the whole operation is run very efficiently.”

Alva Development Trust was revealed as one of the 2023 recipients of The King’s Award during the king’s birthday yesterday.

Two volunteers from the charity will also be invited to a garden party at Holyrood House in July 2024.