Radio Lollipop in Newcastle, a group of volunteers based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Radio Lollipop Newcastle provides care, comfort, play and entertainment to children and their families in the Great North Children’s Hospital. By providing music, stories, games and crafts, they bring joy at the most difficult points in families lives. Radio Lollipop Newcastle reduce children’s pain, anxiety and boredom by providing moments of creativity, laughter and entertainment, which are essential to their development.
Chairperson Lydia Nicholson-Allen-Jones said: “We are overjoyed that Radio Lollipop Newcastle have received this prestigious award. Our team are all volunteers, and I am so proud to be a part of it. We are rewarded every time we help a child to have a better day, but this award is recognition of the hard work put in by our volunteers, past and present. I am excited to see what our future holds.”
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2025 marks the third year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK.
Representatives of Radio Lollipop in Newcastle will receive the award crystal and certificate from Ms. Lucy Winskell, Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from Radio Lollipop Newcastle will attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2026, along with other recipients of this year’s award.