Greenock-based charity receive award from Princess Anne

 

Youth work charity Ocean Youth Trust (OYT) Scotland formally received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award in The Fishmonger’s Hall, London.

This award is the highest accolade a local voluntary group in the UK can achieve, and it is the equivalent of an MBE.

Princess Anne presented the certificates and two young volunteers, Joe and Fay, accepted the award on behalf of the charity.

Supported by a base of more than 200 volunteers, OYT Scotland has been providing life-changing youth work on the waves to disadvantaged young people from across Scotland.

The Trust’s skilled sailing volunteers work aboard their two 70ft yachts, providing dynamic and educational youth work voyages to more than 600 young people each year.

Youth work charity Ocean Youth Trust (OYT) Scotland formally received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award in The Fishmonger’s Hall, London.

This award is the highest accolade a local voluntary group in the UK can achieve, and it is the equivalent of an MBE.

Princess Anne presented the certificates and two young volunteers, Joe and Fay, accepted the award on behalf of the charity.

Supported by a base of more than 200 volunteers, OYT Scotland has been providing life-changing youth work on the waves to disadvantaged young people from across Scotland.

The Trust’s skilled sailing volunteers work aboard their two 70ft yachts, providing dynamic and educational youth work voyages to more than 600 young people each year.

These young people come from a range of backgrounds and circumstances including young carers, care experienced young people and those at risk of engaging in the criminal justice system.

On shore, committed volunteers help to fundraise, build the Trust’s profile and provide vital office support to the Trust’s small staff team.

The group has been in operation for more than two decades and is currently based in Greenock.

Lucie Aitkenhead, Chair of OYT Scotland, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious award recognising the hard work and dedication of our volunteers.

“They are the backbone of our organisation, without whom we would not be able to deliver our life-changing youth work at sea.”