CUSTOMERS at the Helen & Douglas House shop in Stow-on-the-Wold, will get the chance to see a specially engraved award given by the Queen for outstanding community work.

The engraved award in glass will be displayed in a cabinet inside the shop from September 14 until 21 as part of a celebratory roadshow.

Helen & Douglas House Hospice won The Queen’s Award for its work with volunteers. It is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK for outstanding work done in their local communities. Tom Hill, chief executive of Helen & Douglas House said: “We are very proud of this recognition and enormously proud of our volunteers. They give us the most precious thing they have - their time. Without them we would not be able to provide the range of support and services to the families that need us.”

The 32 Helen & Douglas shops across the region depend on volunteers to help run them. Their services include befriending young patients, helping in the kitchen, garden, or offices, supporting the fundraising team in-house and at events.

The charity is currently working towards a Home Volunteering project.

Anyone interested in volunteering for Helen & Douglas House can pop into the shop and ask to speak to the manager, or contact Wendy Bridge, Volunteer Manager, Helen & Douglas House, T: 01865 794749, E: volunteering@helenanddouglas.org.uk.