The prestigious honour, which sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, is equivalent to an MBE for voluntary groups.
The CKI School of Martial Arts in Leicester, the Dukeries Community Workshop in Nottinghamshire, the Northampton Hope Centre and Thorplands United Football Club in Northamptonshire were all judged to have reached the highest standard of volunteering excellence.
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector and Minister for the East Midlands, congratulated the region’s winners. He said:
“It gives me great honour to pay tribute to all this year's recipients of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, who have made, and continue to make such a positive difference to many people's lives right across our society.
“Volunteering groups contribute hugely to their communities, often without praise for the incredible job they do, and it is important for all of us to recognise their work in helping others and hopefully gain inspiration from their achievements.”
The four East Midlands winners were among 79 bodies from across the UK that were given the award after being nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group's work in their community.
They will be presented with an exclusive crystal trophy marking their success at one of a number of special local ceremonies being given by the Queen's Lord Lieutenants.
More than 600 groups around the UK have been given the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service since it was created to mark the Golden Jubilee in 2002.
- CKI School of Martial Arts - the group aims to teach young people from across the community martial arts.
- Dukeries Community Workshop -p rovides a practical workshop where people can pursue their interests and skills
- Northampton Hope Centre - meets the needs of homeless and disadvantaged people in Northampton
- Thorplands United Football Club - provides football for all and youth activities in the interests of social welfare and community cohesion.
