The leadership of a Bolton charity which brings joy to people across the town has dedicated a prestigious award to its volunteers.
CreateBolton, based at the Claremont Church on Bark Street, is a Christian charity which supports often isolated and lonely people, connecting them with each other and enabling them to live more purposeful lives in their communities.
The charity has a mission to see people in "creationships" that make a lasting difference to provide a positive physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation to lives of people across the borough.
CreateBolton was established in its original form Cafe Create in 2012 and formally became a registered charity with the charity commission in 2013, changing status to become a charitable incorporated organisation in 2018.
The Bolton News reported at the beginning of this year that the charity received The King's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, and equivalent to an MBE.
Last month, CreateBolton was presented with the award.
Andrew Kilpatrick, lead officer at the charity. said: "We were successful in being awarded the King's Award for Voluntary Service.
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"You get to go to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, which we did on May 8.
"There was then a follow up on June 11 where we received the Kings Award itself and the certificate at The Monastery Manchester in Gorton."
He added: "An added bonus is Andy Morgan, the Mayor of Bolton, was also in attendance.
"We have absolute pride for ourselves and on the behalf of our volunteers. It is very much targeted at those who volunteer in the organisation of a charity like Create Bolton.
"We picked it up and brought it back for all of them and their hard work. It is a credit to the volunteers and their efforts, we very much need them in this world."
"It was the Lord Lieutenant, Diane Hawkins, who gave us the award."
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