Love, Amelia has had the immense honour of celebrating The King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest recognition of voluntary work in the UK – and the incredible volunteers who make Love, Amelia possible.
We began our celebrations at The Fire Station in Sunderland, bringing together over 100 people from across our community – including volunteers, supporters, and partners from education, corporate organisations, and beyond. It was a moving and joyful evening that reflected on the journey of Love, Amelia, from its beginnings around a living room table to supporting over 24,000 children across the North East.
As part of our celebration, we were honoured to be joined by a number of special guest speakers, each sharing powerful reflections on the role of volunteering and the impact of Love, Amelia.
We welcomed Paul Callaghan CBE, Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, a great friend and supporter of Love, Amelia. Introducing him to the stage, we reflected on our privilege of working with him on the unforgettable Music Against Child Poverty gig in December—an event that raised over £50,000 to support families in need. A driving force behind Sunderland becoming a Music City, Paul has brought together the power of music and community to create real change. A well-respected Mackem legend, his contributions to the arts, culture, and our wider region are immeasurable. It was a real honour to have him join us in celebrating the volunteers at the heart of Love, Amelia.
We were also delighted to be joined by Sadie, supported by her mam, Jorja—one of our youngest volunteers. Sadie spends her time collecting essential items from her local community to support our wishlist and regularly helps in our warehouse. Her dedication and kindness at such a young age is a true inspiration, and it was heart-warming to hear how volunteering has become a meaningful part of her life.
Another special moment came from Claire, a corporate volunteer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Claire volunteers with us regularly as part of DWP’s 10,000 Hours Pledge, and she and her team have gone above and beyond in their support. As well as generously giving their time, they have been actively fundraising for Love, Amelia and presented us with a cheque for £600 at the event. We’re so thankful for their continued commitment.
We also had the pleasure of hearing from two of our wonderful regular volunteers, Carol Ann and Sonia, who shared heartfelt stories of their time with Love, Amelia. Their words reminded us all that behind every item we distribute is the care and compassion of someone who has taken the time to help—a powerful example of how volunteering not only changes lives, but also creates lasting connections and purpose.
While every single volunteer and supporter plays a vital role in making Love, Amelia what it is, we wanted to take a moment to recognise some truly special people. These individuals and organisations have gone above and beyond in their dedication, generosity, and impact — and it was our absolute pleasure to highlight their contributions at our recent celebration event.
Marie Dawson:
Marie has been with us the longest as a volunteer, consistently giving her time and energy, week in and week out, for several years. Her loyalty, commitment, and quiet determination are an example to us all, and we are so grateful for everything she continues to do.
Sonia Bailey:
Known for bringing in the most delicious homemade treats (a highlight of our week!), Sonia is also a hardworking and dedicated volunteer. She brings warmth, kindness, and laughter into every shift and is a cherished member of the Love, Amelia team.
Craig Bankhead:
Often working quietly behind the scenes, Craig has been a constant and steady source of support. As Chair of Trustees since the very beginning, his leadership and guidance have helped shape Love, Amelia into the organisation it is today. He’s also been a personal mentor to our founder, Steph, throughout her MBA journey. His belief in our mission has been truly invaluable.
Andrea Parkin:
Andrea plays a vital role in recruiting, training, and retaining our incredible volunteer team. With her infectious enthusiasm and warmth, she has a true gift for turning visitors into volunteers! Andrea is our dedicated Volunteer Coordinator, always finding the positives even on the most stressful days, and bringing sunshine into every corner of Love, Amelia.
Wendy Teasdale:
Wendy began as a volunteer and has grown into an incredible support for others — particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities. Her patience, kindness, and encouragement help make Love, Amelia a truly inclusive space where everyone feels valued and supported. We regularly hear wonderful feedback about the care she gives.
Durham University Volunteers:
Although they only began volunteering with us in 2024, the Durham University student group has made a huge impact in a short time — logging the most volunteer hours of any organisation last year! Their commitment and teamwork have been nothing short of inspiring.
Gentoo:
Gentoo has been a tireless supporter of our work. From regular volunteering and organising essential collections, to donating hundreds of Christmas gifts and raising £12,000 last year alone — their contribution has been incredible. They’ve rallied their supply chains to support our Back to School project, resulting in over £4,000 worth of stationery, and are now generously supporting the renovation of our new unit with donated materials and labour. We are beyond grateful for their continued partnership and belief in our mission.
St Robert of Newminster:
This fantastic school and sixth form community has gone out of their way to involve young people in helping others, teaching kindness and the value of giving back. They’ve donated thousands of Christmas selection boxes, handmade 2,000 reindeer dust sets, volunteered in our warehouse, raised funds for essential equipment, and supported every major seasonal campaign. Their passion and commitment to making a difference is truly heartwarming.
To end the day of celebrations on a truly special note, we were honoured to welcome Chloe Jones, a talented young performer from the Sunderland Young Musicians Project.
Chloe wrote and performed an original song inspired by Love, Amelia, capturing the heart of our mission and the impact of our work in the most beautiful and moving way.
Her performance was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do – her heartfelt lyrics and gentle voice brought many in the room to tears. It was a moment of stillness, reflection, and deep emotion that perfectly captured the spirit of the day.
We are so grateful to Chloe for sharing her gift with us and using her voice to tell our story. It was the perfect way to close a day full of celebration, gratitude, and community.
