A REFUGEE charity has received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at an official event.

The Harbour Project, currently helping 520 people, is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the award this year.

The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton, who presented the award to celebrate the work of the volunteers, said: “It is a well-deserved charity to receive one. They are doing so much work for refugees and asylum-seekers arriving in Swindon. I hope they are going to get bigger. It’s not only good for them, but it’s also good for Swindon and Swindon has such a special place in my heart.”

It is the highest honour a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Chairman of trustees David Rowlands said: “In normal times, but we are not in a normal time, our volunteers would be involved in a huge variety of activities, helping people, giving advice and teaching, including English and Maths. What they are doing is absolutely amazing. We couldn’t do it without them, which is why I think we have this award.

“Many of our volunteers have been nervous about exposing themselves to the virus but many are still helping.”

The charity provides support, advice, practical help and friendships to asylum seekers and refugees in Swindon.

Iraqi Ahmed Al-Rawi arrived in Swindon in 2016. He nominated the charity after it helped him settle in the town.

He said: “The first day I arrived in Swindon, someone mentioned the Harbour Project. I went there and they immediately welcomed me, they showed me the roads, how to go to the hospital, the post office, everything.

“The Harbour Project is not just a charity; it really is a family. They take care of you.

“You come from a different country, you are scared, all my family was killed in Iraq, so I was terrified. The most important thing in life is to feel welcome and they welcomed me.”

Ahmed, who used to be a teacher in Iraq added: “Swindon is the best town I have ever been in. The people are very welcoming. When I heard about the award, I thought the Harbour should get it. And I’m just over the moon.”

Chief executive Claire Garrett said: “It’s a fantastic tribute to our volunteers. The work of the Harbour couldn’t have happened without the volunteers.

“We have a staff team, we have trustees, but it’s our volunteers who runs the activities, they build friendships with our visitors.