Academy fm, Thanet’s community radio station which is manned by a group of volunteers based on the isle, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
107.8 Academy fm supports many local charities and organisations by offering a free media platform, and interviews to promote themselves, giving them a voice across Thanet.
Presenter training is a big part of what they do, working alongside people from all walks of life and with a range of abilities, including local schools.
Academy fm is one of 262 local charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, highlights the ways volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty The King emphasised his desire to continue the Award.
Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Award winners this year are diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK.
Representatives of Academy fm will receive the award crystal and certificate from Lady Annabel Colgrain Lord-Lieutenant of Kent.
Two volunteers from Academy fm will also attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2024, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Station Manager Debbie Day said: “Academy fm is a 24-hour radio station playing a wide variety of music from the late 60s to present day, with volunteer presenters that have wonderful personalities keeping our listeners entertained. The radio is a lifeline to those listeners who are lonely, they know they can call us for a chat anytime, and to those who volunteer at the radio station, the support we give one another is vital to many who suffer with their mental health.
“I am very proud that Academy fm’s support for our local community has been recognised and I’m delighted that all the hard work and hours the volunteers put in is being rewarded in such a wonderful way.
“Increasingly we are finding that both fundraising and grant applications are very difficult to come by, as there always seems to be causes that are viewed as more “charitable”, hopefully this award will help demonstrate the importance of what we do.”
