Wimpy Park Community Group has just been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Wimpy Park Community Group is one of only 25 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups in Scotland to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
Lord-Lieutenant Johnny Stewart says:
The Lieutenancy has known of this organisation for a number of years and has witnessed the transformation of what had been a derelict park. To hear first-hand from those who have been involved and benefited from both the process of the restoration and the benefits of the resulting asset in such an emotional and effusive manner has made it clear how much this means to the community. Partner organisations have described how this has created an amazing facility for them to use on a daily basis to support their clients and it is very clear what an incredible job the group have done.
Parents are finding that their children just want to spend time in the safe environment the park provides, and cannot speak highly enough of the activities the volunteers organise for them. The play equipment provided is excellent and well maintained and used by visiting groups and the community. The group is not yet finished though and has started to instal play equipment linked to Alloa's past history of the docks, mining and towers. The purpose and pride in the community that this group has generated is phenomenal. Listening to those involved it is clearly tangible. As was stated in one of the letters of support they 'have got their park back”. I could not be more delighted that they have been awarded this prestigious award. I look forward to presenting the award in the New Year”.
Chair of the Wimpy Park Community Group, Finlay Robertson, says “The Group was set up in 2017 to reinstate into a Community Garden the Walled Garden on the Earl of Mar’s estate which had deteriorated over the years. After much back-breaking effort from the local and wider community, without which none of what has been achieved would have been possible, we now have a play area and football pitches as well as a Reflection Garden and we also run hugely popular community events throughout the year such as an Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Event, Zombie Walk and Christmas Party with over 1400 people attending the Summer Event alone. This award is for everyone who has helped over the years and who continue to support us with this much loved community space in the heart of Alloa”.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty The King emphasised his desire to continue the Award. Recipients are now announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday.
Representatives of Wimpy Park Community Group will receive the award crystal and certificate from Johnny Stewart at a special ceremony early in the new year. In addition, two volunteers from the group will be invited to a garden party at Holyroodhouse in July 2026.
The Volunteers turned out in force to celebrate the receipt of the KAVS and are pictured.