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QUEEN'S TOP HONOUR FOR DONNA'S DREAM HOUSE

(July 2006)

Big-hearted helpers dedicated to brightening the lives of sick children

in Blackpool were honoured by the Queen in July 2006. Staff and

volunteers at Donna's Dream House were presented with the Queen's

Award for Voluntary Service by her representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire. Bosses at the Dream House were even invited to meet the Queen at a Royal Garden Party later in the summer.

Len Curtis, who set up Donna's Dream House with wife Barbara after daughter Donna tragically died from cancer, said he would accept the award on behalf of everyone who gives their time and support to the charity. He said: "Winning the Queen's Award is an honour and a testament to all the hard work of the numerous volunteers we have here at the Dream House. I am delighted that this work has been recognised, on behalf of the whole community and the people of Blackpool working together for terminally-ill children. Without all the help of the Dream House volunteers, including the community service workers, we would not be able to do the work we do and give so many children a very special holiday by the sea."

Len and Barbara were joined by trustees Violet and Walter McIntyre at Buckingham Palace on July 11 after picking up the award from the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Shuttleworth, in Preston on July 10.

Donna's Dream House is one of only 104 charities to get The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2006 in recognition of our communities' unsung heroes.

Ed Milliband, Minister for the Third Sector, said: "I congratulate the winners of the Queen's Award and pay tribute to the brilliant work they do. These groups show us how much can be achieved when people join together to make a difference. They are an example to us all."