Royal honour for Rotherham tenants' group

Rotherham Federation of Communities (RotherFed) kept tenants and residents busy during the pandemic with a range of activities.

But the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service — the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and quivalent to an MBE — is also in honour of RotherFed’s long-standing work to support and represent Rotherham communities.

Representatives of RotherFed will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Prof Dame Hilary Chapman, later this year, and two volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year.

Chief executive Phil Hayes said: “How delighted I am that our group’s work has been recognised, for what our volunteers have contributed to our communities over the last couple of years and beyond.

“I want to pay tribute to hard work and commitment of our incredible team.”

Also recognised with a Queen’s Award are Rotherham Friends in Deed, whose activities include providing meals, arranging litter picks, distributing clothing and raising awareness of health issues and campaigns aimed at the ethnic minority communities.