A Clydebank charity has received a prestigious honour from Buckingham Palace.

Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels [OKFP] has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.

The accolade 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.

OKFP initially started during the coronavirus pandemic, where volunteers collected medication prescriptions and delivered them to vulnerable families who were unable to leave their homes.

They have since then provided essential food and toiletries to over 37,000 people throughout West Dunbartonshire and they are one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

READ MORE: Drumchapel Food Bank has empty shelves as Christmas approaches

OKFP's 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.

The King’s Birthday Award winners this year 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 opportunities to engage in the arts for people with learning disabilities in County Fermanagh.

Representatives of OKFP will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, Mrs Jill Young MBE, at a ceremony in the new year.

Two members of the group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace along with other recipients of this year’s award.

Maureen Cummings, founder of the charity, couldn’t hide her pride at receiving the award.

She said: “Our committee is absolutely honoured beyond belief that our charity has been recognised in this way.

“It is a testament to the incredible work and dedication of over 150 volunteers who have given up their time to help others over the past four years.

"We are very proud of our OKFP Family.”