I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the Liverpool Talking Newspaper for the Blind on receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Founded in 1980 the  charity has been an invaluable source of news and information for people with sight loss across Merseyside for over 50 years., producing a free weekly audio magazine for local people across Merseyside.

The Talking Newspaper is entirely staffed by volunteers who give their time and energy on behalf of others in thee community, and this dedication to others forms a large part of the citation for the award.

I’m proud to have supported them as a charity for many years, including their nomination for this well-deserved award, the highest recognition that can be given in the UK to a voluntary group. To have this awarded to a group in our constituency is an incredible achievement by all concerned.

The difference Margaret Campbell, Steve Binns, Derek Ho, Ben Campbell, Charlie Formby, Margaret Guppy, June and David McKie, Peter and Hillary Linsky, Mark Ord at STEC and wonderful volunteers old and new – too numerous to mention but who all played their part – have made to people’s lives is tremendous, and I hope this valuable services continues to thrive for at least another half century!

The Liverpool Talking Newspaper for the Blind richly deserves this award and their place on the 2021 list of awardees, all of whom have rightly been recognised for their fantastic contribution to local communities across the country. Well done to all involved.