Post by Kev Panther on Jun 2, 2016 18:27:47 GMT
THE inspirational Skem Men-Aces have been granted Royal approval.
The Skelmersdale-based football team for adults with learning disabilities has won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local volunteer groups in the UK.
Founder Carl Eaton, wife Miriam and daughter Samantha attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace where they met The Queen.
They will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, on Monday, July 4 at County Hall in Preston.
Carl, who was born with Spina Bifida and is a right leg amputee, was inspired to organise the football club in 2009 due to a lack of sports activities available for people with learning disabilities in his hometown of Skelmersdale.
The Men-Aces are now accredited to Liverpool FA, have over 50 people attending each week and won a silver trophy at the Special Olympics in Bath in 2013.
Skem Men-Ace Matthew Coppell was also chosen to represent Mencap team GB for the European Championships in Geneva in June 2015, while this year Theo Duke and James Hughes also represented the GB squad and helped them to win the European Football Championship.
The Queen’s Award is officially classified as “The MBE for volunteer groups” and was announced by Buckingham Palace today.
Carl has worked tirelessly for the Men-Aces who also take an active role in supporting and giving back to their local community.
Skem Men-Ace Carl Eaton enjoys a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham PalaceSkem Men-Ace Carl Eaton enjoys a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
The football team has raised over £50,000 for different charities.
Carl said: “This is one of the greatest things which has ever happened to us.
“We are honoured, delighted and grateful to receive this outstanding acknowledgment for our work in the community and beyond.
“This accolade clearly demonstrates that through hard work, dedication and the will to succeed, that dreams can come true.
“I would also like to thank the coaching staff of the Skem Men-Aces for their continued dedication and commitment. This decoration is not only for those involved with the Men-Aces but is also for the fabulous and amazing Skelmersdale community who through their continued support over the years we find ourselves where we are today.
“Finally my heartfelt thanks to each and every player of this mighty club for bringing so much joy and happiness not just into my life but the lives of so many. Onwards and upwards for this unique and proud club.”
The Queen’s awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
The 193 award winners this year range from a War Memorial Community Trust, providing social facilities for the benefit of the community in Clwyd, Wales, to a club enhancing the community by developing individuals through athletics, in Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland.
Miriam and Carl Eaton from the Skem Men-Aces at Buckingham PalaceMiriam and Carl Eaton from the Skem Men-Aces at Buckingham Palace
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Sir Martyn Lewis said: “I warmly congratulate all of the inspirational voluntary groups who have been rewarded for their community work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups.
“The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the very best of democracy in action.”
Well done to Carl from all at Skelmersdale United
The Skelmersdale-based football team for adults with learning disabilities has won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local volunteer groups in the UK.
Founder Carl Eaton, wife Miriam and daughter Samantha attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace where they met The Queen.
They will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, on Monday, July 4 at County Hall in Preston.
Carl, who was born with Spina Bifida and is a right leg amputee, was inspired to organise the football club in 2009 due to a lack of sports activities available for people with learning disabilities in his hometown of Skelmersdale.
The Men-Aces are now accredited to Liverpool FA, have over 50 people attending each week and won a silver trophy at the Special Olympics in Bath in 2013.
Skem Men-Ace Matthew Coppell was also chosen to represent Mencap team GB for the European Championships in Geneva in June 2015, while this year Theo Duke and James Hughes also represented the GB squad and helped them to win the European Football Championship.
The Queen’s Award is officially classified as “The MBE for volunteer groups” and was announced by Buckingham Palace today.
Carl has worked tirelessly for the Men-Aces who also take an active role in supporting and giving back to their local community.
Skem Men-Ace Carl Eaton enjoys a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham PalaceSkem Men-Ace Carl Eaton enjoys a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
The football team has raised over £50,000 for different charities.
Carl said: “This is one of the greatest things which has ever happened to us.
“We are honoured, delighted and grateful to receive this outstanding acknowledgment for our work in the community and beyond.
“This accolade clearly demonstrates that through hard work, dedication and the will to succeed, that dreams can come true.
“I would also like to thank the coaching staff of the Skem Men-Aces for their continued dedication and commitment. This decoration is not only for those involved with the Men-Aces but is also for the fabulous and amazing Skelmersdale community who through their continued support over the years we find ourselves where we are today.
“Finally my heartfelt thanks to each and every player of this mighty club for bringing so much joy and happiness not just into my life but the lives of so many. Onwards and upwards for this unique and proud club.”
The Queen’s awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
The 193 award winners this year range from a War Memorial Community Trust, providing social facilities for the benefit of the community in Clwyd, Wales, to a club enhancing the community by developing individuals through athletics, in Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland.
Miriam and Carl Eaton from the Skem Men-Aces at Buckingham PalaceMiriam and Carl Eaton from the Skem Men-Aces at Buckingham Palace
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Sir Martyn Lewis said: “I warmly congratulate all of the inspirational voluntary groups who have been rewarded for their community work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups.
“The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the very best of democracy in action.”
Well done to Carl from all at Skelmersdale United