King’s Award for Voluntary Service Bestowed Upon Sunderland Children’s Charity

A children’s charity, which has provided over 13,000 parcels to families requiring assistance, has been granted the United Kingdom’s most prestigious voluntary accolade. Love, Amelia, an organization situated in Sunderland, received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of its efforts throughout the city and County Durham. Steph Capewell, the charity’s founder, who established it in remembrance of her daughter, stated that receiving the award constituted a “huge honour.” She added, “It shows that the work of the volunteers is really valued.” This award holds a status comparable to an appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). In July, two representatives from the charity are scheduled to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Ms Capewell expressed her hope that this recognition would contribute to attracting a greater number of volunteers to the baby bank. The organization was established in 2019, commemorating her daughter Amelia, who passed away in January 2018, merely 12 minutes after her birth. Ms Capewell further stated, “We want to get to a point where Love, Amelia is never needed because that level of child poverty is not in the region.”