Wirral charity receives Queen's Award for voluntary services

Every December, Northern Lights takes a group of children, aged between six and 11, on a five-day holiday to the Arctic Circle to meet Father Christmas.

The charity, founded in 1988 by Alan Johnson in memory of son Christopher, was presented with The Queens Award for Voluntary Service by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, Mr David Briggs MBE, KStJ on Sunday.

It is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities.

Northern Lights was one of only two charities within Cheshire to have received this award.

The certificate awarded to Northern Lights

Its committee was joined for an afternoon tea by the deputy Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Angela Claydon, the Town Mayor of Neston, Mr Mike Shipman, Cllr Martin Barker, friends, family and supporters on a lovely afternoon at Neston Cricket Club.

Karen Jones, chairman of the charity, said: "It is an honour to receive such recognition for the work of the charity and as a committee we are very proud to hold this award and would like to thank everyone who had made this possible.

"Without those people who have raised funds for the charity over the 28 years since it was founded, the volunteers who help with our events and all those involved in taking the children to Lapland, we would not be able to provide these wonderful holidays."

The Northern Lights committee with Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, Mr David Briggs MBE, KStJ, during the certificate presentation

Karen continued: "We thank everyone involved and hope that we can continue to provide these holidays of a life time in memory of Christopher for years to come.

"We would like to thank all those who have attended today but especially the Lord-Lieutenant who spoke so beautifully about the work of the charity."