Hartlepool charity picks up a Royal honour.

The wonderful Hartlepool Carers were presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at the National Museum of the Royal Navy on Friday, 26th August.

The award is equivalent to the MBE and is the highest award that can be made to a voluntary group. Mrs Sue Snowdon, Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, made the presentation.

The award reflects the huge difference that the group has made in the 28 years since it first formed. It represents 4,000 adult carers, thousands of children, and has 42 volunteers.

Touchingly, the charity works with many young carers, some aged just five-years-old. Earlier in the year, the Hartlepool Young Carers Project won a High Sheriff Youth Award to recognise the support it offers to children who help loved ones with long term illnesses and disabilities.

The Youth awards, which are run by County Durham Community Foundation, acknowledged the 500 young carers that have been supported over the last year with activities, access to technology that reduces loneliness, like tablets, and food packages and Christmas gifts for those living in low-income households. Though the charity helps young people facing serious difficulties, Hartlepool Carers is a place where these young people can laugh, join in and even fundraise to help others in the same boat.  

Hartlepool Carers is just one of the many groups supported by County Durham Community Foundation.