Guildford Friday Swimmers Honoured By The Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service

Published on: 12 Sep, 2019
Updated on: 12 Sep, 2019

Pam Morphew founding member and Gill Parsons chair of volunteers receiving the award from the Lord Lieutenant Michael More-Molyneux.

Guildford’s Friday Swimmers, volunteers based in the Spectrum leisure complex, have been given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour possible to a group for voluntary service.

It was presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Mr Michael More-Molyneux and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Bill Biddell to Pam Morphew, a founding member, on Friday, September 6.

Also at the ceremony were the High Sheriff of Surrey, Mrs Bridget Biddell and the Mayor of Guildford with many other guests including volunteers and those who have benefitted from the work of Friday Swimmers.

For just more than 50 years, Friday Swimmers have been supporting post-operative patients (amputees, joint replacements and other injuries) in recuperation and rehabilitation.

Anne Ritchie swimming safety officer and swimming coach with the High Sherriff Bridget Biddell (left) and Cllr Richard Billington, Mayor of Guildford.

They also support those with lifelong physical impairments, despite their age or ability, to help improve their quality of life by providing proactive support, safe access, and equally as important, an inclusive social environment. Swimming galas, and indoor sports days are all part Friday Swimmers too.

Guildford Spectrum has helped sustain them total support, as does Guildford Borough Council, and when Freedom Leisure became the managing organisation the strong partnership with Friday Swimmers continued.

Fittingly, the ceremony was hosted by Freedom Leisure at Spectrum.

Gill Parsons, chair of the committee said: “Our volunteers are the service, the people we support each week, the local health services we support by enabling people to rehabilitate in a positive way, the people who live with lifelong impairments are our motivation to keep doing what we do.

“Who would have thought all those years ago we would be visited by the representative of Her Majesty? Thank you all so much.”