rom the left, Deputy Bailiff Richard Collas, Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland and Victim Support and Witness Service manager Marilyn King with some of the volunteers whose efforts have led to the organisation receiving the Queen's Voluntary Service Award. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0783344)

THE Bailiff has praised the Victim Support and Witness Service, which won this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for its contribution to the local community.

‘The volunteers are unsung heroes,’ said Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland.

‘This is a magnificent accolade.

‘Victim Support benefits both victims and witnesses directly, and indeed the court, so everybody in the Royal Court building is thoroughly delighted.’

The service was one of 95 volunteering groups to be given the award, which is the equivalent of an MBE.

The winners were selected from 406 nominated across the country by people who have been helped by the organisations or have seen their work.

Victim Support volunteering group manager Marilyn King said it was an honour to have won the award.

‘I would just like to say a big thank you to the volunteers and the management team,’ she said.

The service recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and Mrs King said it had really developed over the years.