Cornwall Pride Awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025

Published On: 14 November 2025Last Updated: 14 November 2025By CornishStuff

📷 Cornwall Pride Truro 2025. - Credit: Kai Greet Photography and Cornwall Pride

Cornwall Pride has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest honour a local voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The recognition highlights more than 17 years of volunteer driven work supporting equality, acceptance, and inclusion throughout Cornwall.

National Recognition for Volunteer Effort

The award celebrates the efforts of hundreds of volunteers who have supported Cornwall Pride since its first event in 2008. Powered entirely by volunteers, the charity delivers events, outreach programmes, and campaigns aimed at promoting visibility and inclusion across the Duchy.

Matthew Kenworthy Gomes, Chair of Cornwall Pride, said, “Being awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is an incredible honour, and one that belongs to every volunteer, partner, and supporter who has helped shape Cornwall Pride. From our first Pride in 2008 to the thriving movement we see today, Cornwall Pride has always been by the community, for the community.

“This award recognises the dedication, kindness, and courage of everyone who makes Pride happen across Cornwall, and it’s incredibly meaningful to be recognised alongside Pride in London, which achieved this honour in 2018. It shows just how powerful community led Pride can be, wherever it takes place.

“It’s a bittersweet moment too, because while we celebrate how far we’ve come, we know the road to true inclusion is still a long one. That’s exactly why we keep going, together.”

Cornwall Pride is one of a small number of voluntary groups across the UK and Channel Islands to receive the award in 2025.

📷Cornwall Pride St Ives 2023. - Credit: Kai Greet Photography and Cornwall Pride

Award Presentation to Follow

Representatives will receive the award and certificate from Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, in the coming months.

Two volunteers will also attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2026 alongside other recipients.

A Cornwall Pride Volunteer said, “This recognition means the world to all of us. It’s a moment to celebrate every single person who’s given their time, energy, and heart to make Cornwall Pride happen. It shows that when we come together, no matter who we are, we can create something truly powerful.”

📷Cornwall Pride Falmouth 2025. - Credit: Kai Greet Photography and Cornwall Pride

A Legacy of Volunteer Led Support

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was set up in 2002 to mark Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and continues today under His Majesty The King. It recognises outstanding volunteer work that makes a real difference to local communities.

Matthew concluded, “For the Cornwall Pride community and supporters, this award belongs to you. Every volunteer, performer, partner, business, ally, and attendee who has waved a flag, cooked a meal, stewarded a march, or simply showed up in love and solidarity, this is your moment.”