Today (14th November) on His Majesty The King’s birthday, Love, Amelia has been anounced to be awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Love, Amelia supports children aged 0-16 across the North East who are experiencing poverty and hardship. We provide new and excellent quality pre-loved essential items to meet their needs — including clothing, safe sleeping places, nappies, toiletries, and toys.
Since our charity was founded by Amelia’s parents in 2019, Love, Amelia has supported nearly 20,000 children and families, distributing over £2 million worth of essential items. We are deeply committed to giving children the best possible start in life, ensuring they have access to the items they need to be safe, happy, and able to thrive.
Love, Amelia volunteers
Love, Amelia is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups 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.
Love, Amelia welcomes individual volunteers, as well as volunteers from businesses, education and public sector services. On average, Love, Amelia welcomes over 60 volunteers contributing more than 500 hours every month.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and, was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a mental health and wellbeing support network for veterans and their families in Yorkshire; a group preserving a historic 12th century castle in south Wales; volunteers providing English lessons for refugees in Stirling and an organisation providing a opportunities to engage in the arts for people with learning disabilities in County Fermanagh.
Representatives of Love, Amelia will receive the award crystal and certificate from Lucy Winskell OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear later this summer. In addition, two representatives from Love, Amelia will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Our founder and Chief Executive, Steph Capewell has said:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, an honour that truly belongs to our incredible volunteers.
At Love, Amelia, our volunteers are the backbone of everything we do, dedicating their time, effort, and compassion every day to support the youngest members of our society.
Each month, we are proud to welcome over 60 volunteers from a range of backgrounds — from individuals balancing work and family commitments, to retired professionals, and those volunteering through businesses, organisations, or educational institutions. Every single person plays a vital role here, sharing our passion for tackling child poverty.
This award is a testament to their hard work and commitment, and I am thrilled to pay tribute to each of them in this very special way.”
Check out how you can get involved or get in touch at hello@loveamelia.org.uk
An interactive map of all 2024 awardees can be found here, and a full list is available on the KAVS website and The Gazette.
