Heritage charity, The Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, received the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service at Hopetown Darlington on the afternoon of Saturday 6th June. The award, presented by Mike Butterwick CBE, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for County Durham, recognises thousands of volunteer hours contributed by the charity’s members over more than a decade.
The charity has supported volunteers and helped communities care for their railway heritage, including rescuing and restoring the pioneering Heighington Station, helping to preserve the historic inclines west of Shildon, and transforming the former Fighting Cocks coal yard from overgrown land into a welcoming community picnic area.
The charity has also worked closely with local authorities to protect internationally important heritage sites from unsuitable development and to support positive regeneration in the surrounding areas.
At the event, the charity will received a crystal trophy and a certificate bearing His Majesty’s signature in recognition of the group’s excellence in volunteering.
The group’s chair of trustees, Niall Hammond said: “Recognition through awards like this is of huge significance to our supporters, partners and of course our volunteers, who have quietly give so much time and effort over the last decade or more. Rail heritage brings together a wide range of people with a strong community bond to care for our internationally important heritage, improve their local environment and help stimulate social and economic improvements. I hope the King’s award will stimulate us to new heights and encourage others to join in our work.”