An Isle of Wight youth organisation is to be presented with one of the country’s top honours, known as the MBE for volunteer groups.

On Thursday 29 July 2010, on behalf of The Queen HM Lord-Lieutenant, Major General Martin White CB CBE JP will present The Pavilion East Cowes with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The award recognises the dedicated work of the volunteers who run the valuable youth project.

The Pavilion started as a youth project five years ago and has expanded to offer activities for eight to 18 year olds at The Pavilion and a drop-in café for 13 – 18 year olds at LJ’s in the town centre.

As well as offering somewhere to meet and have fun, The Pavilion also offers weekly healthy eating sessions, accredited training such as football refereeing, food safety, first aid and lifeguard training as well as indoor and outdoor sports, with a fully equipped gym.

The Pavilion East Cowes Community Interest Company is the only youth project open five evenings a week and Saturday mornings. The project is run entirely by volunteers.

HM Lord-Lieutenant, Major General Martin White CB CBE JP, said:

“I am delighted to be presenting the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to The Pavilion, a service highly valued by the young people of East Cowes. The project’s success is testament to the hard work and dedication of all of the volunteers who give up their time each week to help and inspire young people in the area.”