The KAVS is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a local charity or voluntary group and is equivalent to an MBE.

Nominated groups underwent a thorough and robust assessment process between December 2025 and March 2026, carried out by assessors from the Lieutenancy and partner organisations.

The local assessment panel compiled its findings and submitted them to the National Award Committee who judged the entries and made final recommendations to His Majesty.

The groups awarded with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2026 are:

• Age Concern Epsom & Ewell
• Camberley Nepalese Gurkha Association
• Sunbury Ferry
• Surplus to Supper Trust
• Wey & Arun Canal Trust

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Mrs Neelam Devesher MBE said “I was delighted to hear that five voluntary-led organisations in Surrey have been awarded a King’s Award for Voluntary Service, and I’d like to offer them my warmest congratulations on their achievement which is very well deserved. This prestigious award recognises the hard work and dedication of volunteers in making a real difference to the communities that they serve and support. I would like to thank them for their hard work and commitment, and I very much look forward to meeting all the groups and making the award presentations in the coming months.”

The award, a certificate signed by His Majesty the King and a domed crystal, will be presented to each of the groups by the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from each group will have the honour of being invited to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace next spring.

Joosje Hamilton DL, chair of the KAVS Local Assessment panel said “Many congratulations to the successful groups. The KAVS process is highly competitive with many outstanding nominations from across the UK. Being nominated itself is a significant recognition of a group’s impact and the high esteem in which the group is held locally. Being actually awarded the KAVS is therefore a huge achievement and is very well deserved for these five groups.”

About the Sunbury Ferry:

The community ferry project came about through Spelthorne Borough Council’s River Thames Task Group. The group comprised Spelthorne Councillors, Council Officers and a number of community representatives with knowledge of the river.

The aims of the Task Group were to focus on the River Thames as it flows through Spelthorne and explore ways of enhancing the river as a valued resource for communities as well as attracting visitors to the area.

For legal and insurance purposes, Sunbury Ferry Ltd. was set up by two residents to manage and operate the ferry service as a not-for-profit community company.

Despite the pandemic and the restrictions that has understandably placed on the project, Sunbury Ferry Ltd. Operated its first public crossing of the River Thames on Saturday 3rd July 2021.

Spelthorne Borough Council River Thames Task Group has been “a driving force behind the project in terms of financial backing and adding credibility to the forging of partnerships with a number of organisations to make the project a reality.”

About Age Concern Epsom & Ewell:

It is an independent charity offering a wide range of services for older residents who live in the borough of Epsom and Ewell.

This includes a hearing aid clinic, financial advice, home visiting, IT support and medical transport.