DEDICATED volunteers who are the driving force of a local charity could receive national recognition after being short-listed for a royal award.

The north Lancashire and South Lakeland branch of Cancer Care is the only local voluntary group to have been singled out.

Its support of cancer patients and their families won over the selection panel for the Queen's Golden Jubilee Award.

The charity's success lies in its proven track record of active community involvement, and the high regard in which the charity is held locally.

Amnd the recognition also highlights the achievements of 300 volunteers who offer their time to improve the quality of life for others.

The team - who help to run six drop-in - centres will learn whether Cancer Care has won in June.

"It is wonderful to have got this far," says the charity's Chris Ashby. "Our volunteers are like gold dust to Cancer Care we can't manage without them.

"The volunteers do virtually everything from running the reception desk to gardening and helping at the drop-ins."

The charity provides support to victims of cancer, from offering practical help, counselling and various therapies to providing activities, day care and transport for members.

Home Office Minister Lord Filkin, who announced the news, said the prestigious new award gives well-deserved recog-nition- to voluntary groups.

"These groups reach out and touch the lives of others, often providing them with uncon-ditional human contact that would otherwise be missing. We owe them an enormous debt," he said.

May 1, 2003 09:30