Darvel volunteers secure King’s Award
DART – the Darvel and Area Regeneration Team – is honoured and delighted to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Services. Equivalent to an MBE and recognising outstanding voluntary work this is the highest award that a volunteer organisation can receive.
Fiona Anderson, DART Chair said: “We are thrilled that the work of our volunteers has been recognised and it is especially rewarding to receive such an honour in Darvel’s 150th anniversary year. DART is a young organisation but with the help of individuals too many to list it has achieved so much in such a short time. The work of our volunteers is critical to our charitable aims and hugely appreciated by all of us at DART and across the Darvel community.”
Lord-Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran, Sheriff Iona Sara McDonald OBE said: “The work undertaken by DART is amazing and has brought the community together with the common aim of regenerating community spirit and civic pride. I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to the group, their members and everyone who has contributed to this fantastic achievement. May they continue to grow and prosper.”
Councillor Jim McMahon, East Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, Transport and Communities also congratulated DART on this achievement. He said:
“On behalf of everyone at East Ayrshire Council I would like to extend my congratulations to the DART volunteers. Only ten awards have been made to Scottish charities and DART is the only one in the Ayrshire & Arran area – which is a phenomenal achievement and testament to the good work undertaken by the Team in Darvel.
Darvel recently gained international fame at the start of 2023 with the greatest football shock of all time, beating Aberdeen 1-0 in the Scottish Cup. It is now ending 2023 on another high with the hard work and the achievements of local volunteers being recognised once more across Scotland and the UK.
Fiona Anderson added: “DART would like to thank all the individuals, volunteers and partners including Sports Darvel, DIG, the Dinner Ladies, VERVE and Vibrant Communities who have helped us achieve so much in such a short time. Most of all we’d like to thank the Darvel community for the many ways in which they support our events, initiatives, and projects.”