VOLUNTEERS and members at a Keighley community centre have received royal recognition for their work.

The Sue Belcher Community Centre in Bracken Bank has been chosen to receive the Duke of York Community Initiative Award.

The award, which recognises the important contribution made by voluntary organisations across Yorkshire, is only the latest of several recent awards for volunteers from the centre.

David Weston, vice-chairman Bracken Bank and District Community Association which runs the centre, said the committee wanted to express its own thanks to everyone who gave help.

He said: "Our team of volunteers, ranging from teenage to senior citizens, have given so much of their time freely for the benefit of the community.

"Although the centre has been closed since the start of lockdown, volunteers have continued to work on behalf of the community."

Clever Energy Boilers named Jayne McDonnell as a Community Hero for her work organising the distribution of food donated by Morrisons in Keighley to local people who were shielding or vulnerable.

She donated her prize of £100 to buy Easter Eggs to supplement the 400 Easter eggs donated by Morrisons, which were distributed by local people dressed as fictional heroes.

Mr Weston said: "Jayne also runs an on-line bingo game to help ease the sense of isolation felt by many people abiding by lockdown measures.

"Lou Dyson was chosen by Radio Leeds to be their Star of the Week for all the work she does in the background for the community, driving her own vehicle to collect and distribute donations.

"The work of the centre has also been recognised by Bradford Lord Mayor Doreen Lee, who gave a donation from her ‘Pot of Gold’ to help needy or disadvantaged children in the area, and by the Lord Lieutenant who sent a personal message of thanks for all the work done by volunteers from the Sue Belcher Centre for the local community."

Mr Weston said the centre had been supported and sponsored by many local organisations.

He said: "With the help of funding from Big Lottery and dedicated staff from Bradford Council Parks Department, the environment around the centre has been landscaped with new access paths to make the area more user-friendly.

"A variety of trees, including fruit trees and many national species, have been planted around a new picnic area, with tables and benches sited so people can enjoy an outside space with great views.

"New raised beds were provided courtesy of funding from the Royal Horticultural Society England, who also gave professional support and guidance, and Allen Clark from The Shed at Cliffe Castle who built the beds.

"It is hoped that members of the community will get involved in using these to grow vegetables, and eventually come to workshops at the centre where they can try out various recipes using the home grown fruit and veg.

"More exciting developments are planned for the future. Anyone who would like to get involved would be very welcome.

"We all hope to see things getting back to normal in the not too distant future, and plans are in progress for a spectacular community event to be held at the centre as soon as we’re told it’s safe."

Anyone who would like to volunteer with any of the activities at the centre should email suebelchersquad@outlook.com.