Marlow FM 97.5 and the African Diaspora Foundation are Buckinghamshire's two winners of The King's Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups.

Marlow FM 97.5, the volunteer-run radio station, has been given The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK. It is one of two Buckinghamshire winners this year, alongside the African Diaspora Foundation, and one of 250 groups across the UK and the Channel Islands honoured on 14 November.

Overview

  • Marlow FM 97.5 and the African Diaspora Foundation are the two Buckinghamshire groups to receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) in 2026.
  • The award is the equivalent of an MBE for a voluntary group, and it is held for life.
  • Each group will be presented with a certificate signed by The King and a commemorative crystal by The Countess Howe, the Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire.
  • Two volunteers from each group will be invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2027.
  • Nominations for the 2027 awards are open and close on 1 December 2026.

What the two groups were recognised for

The Lord-Lieutenant’s office cited Marlow FM 97.5 for “connecting and informing the community through local radio whilst developing skills and opportunities for volunteers of all ages”. The station is down to join the 8.50am warm-up at the Marlow Santa’s Fun Run on 6 December.

The African Diaspora Foundation was recognised for “strengthening identity, connection and community cohesion through the celebration and sharing of African culture”.

The award recognises groups whose volunteers make “an outstanding contribution to their communities”. Winners are announced every year on 14 November, The King’s birthday.

What the Lord-Lieutenant said

The Countess Howe, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, said: “I am delighted that these outstanding organisations have been recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

“Through the dedication, commitment and generosity of their volunteers, they make an extraordinary difference to the lives of people across Buckinghamshire and beyond. Their work exemplifies the very best of community service and I warmly congratulate everyone involved on this richly deserved recognition.”

Lord-Lieutenants are The King’s representatives in each ceremonial county, and the awards in Buckinghamshire are presented through the Bucks Lieutenancy.

About the award

The award was set up in 2002 for Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and was known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service until The King confirmed that it should carry on under its new name after his accession.

How to nominate a group

Anyone can put forward a voluntary group, whether they are a member of the public, a partner organisation or a community leader. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service website says nominations for the 2027 awards close on 1 December 2026 (checked 14 November 2026). Groups where volunteers, rather than paid staff, are in the driving seat are the ones the award is looking for, according to the site.

Source: The Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, via Buckinghamshire Council.