EQUIVALENT to an MBE, the Kings Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) is the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities.
Six borough charities this year received this honour, including Wokingham-based Freely Fruity.
The organisation has been planting seeds of hope as well as fruit trees at locations around the borough since 2020, when it was formed during the pandemic by friends Ryan, James, and Matt.
The group aims to provide food to people and wildlife through planting fruit trees and bushes in local communities, with the added benefit of reducing carbon emissions and lowering the carbon footprint of shop bought fruit.
“It’s amazing, and humbling, to have been given this award,” said Matt Knight, one of the charity’s three founders.
“It’s a long process, and we’ve had to keep the news secret for a while, but it was well worth the wait.
“Now that the volunteers know, everyone’s delighted, and already the team is growing – we’ve had four new people join the team this week.
“Of course we don’t do what we do for the awards, but the great thing is it will enable corporate investors to notice us better, and with more funding we can put extra energy into further community projects.”
The charity’s next piece of work will be to plant 34 fruit trees close to Shinfield Pavilion and Shinfield Meadows, helped by 11 youngsters from nearby Aldergrove School.
“Then we’ve got a special tree to plant in the garden at The Cowshed’s Wokingham offices, a reflective garden space to create in Llanishen near Cardiff (yes, we’ve gone national), and work to carry out in a community garden in Whitely South Community Centre,” said Matt.
Ryan, James, Matt and their team of volunteers spend all their spare time growing, cultivating and harvesting fruit and vegetables for local communities to enjoy.
And they say they love every minute of it.
Now their efforts have been given a royal seal of approval, there will follow an official award presentation, and an invitation to the Royal Garden Party in the summer.
“I’d love the opportunity to have a word with the King,” said Matt.
“I’ve followed his work for years, he has a very environment-focused approach to farming, and I think we’d have a lot in common.
“He’s a great advocate for the UK.”
The six borough KAVS winners are: Cianna’s Smile, which provides support for young people, and their families, affected by Sickle Cell; Freely Fruity; Loose Ends Newbury, a welcoming drop-in centre that provides hot meals for the homeless and vulnerable; Newbury Riding for the Disabled Ltd, whose horses and helpers enrich the lives of disabled children; The Baby Bank which provides essential support to children and their parents experiencing hardship; and Soulscape, who help young people to deal with life’s pressures and promote good mental health.
Freely Fruity is always on the lookout for more volunteers.
“Come and join us,” said Matt, “there’s always room.”
For information, and to become a volunteer, email: info@freelyfruity.org or visit: freelyfruity.org
