Love in Action from Milton Keynes has been announced as one of 95 volunteering groups from across the UK winning this year's Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, recognising the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others.

The prestigious National Honour, which is equivalent to the MBE, sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, and the activities of those awarded have been judged of the highest standard.

Love in Action (MK) has received the Award for its work in relieving the hardship and distress among people who are homeless, living in poverty or suffering from social or economic adversity.

Winners of this year's Award were selected from 406 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group's work in their community.

Love in Action (MK) will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal. These will be presented by Her Majesty's representative in Buckinghamshire, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher at a special ceremony arranged by the Lieutenancy office. Group representatives have also received an invitation to a Royal Garden Party event at Buckingham Palace in the summer.

Speaking of their success, Mike Johnson from Love in Action (MK) said: "We are thrilled to have received this prestigious honour for the work we do amongst those in the local community who are often invisible and forgotten. This award is due in large part to the vision of the local Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Fishermead, who formed Love in Action to bring hope to people in their hour of need. The dedication of the team of volunteers, led by Anne Loftman, is the cornerstone on which this project has been built and continues to thrive. We are also grateful for the support of Tom and Isabella Fraser and their fellow Councillors from Campbell Park Parish Council who has championed this project on every level."

The Award is overseen by the Office of the Third Sector, in the Cabinet Office. Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, said, "Volunteering binds communities together and builds a stronger and kinder society. Often these unsung heroes go about their work without much recognition, that's why I'm particularly pleased to see their efforts recognized and rewarded by the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service."

More than 700 groups around the UK have now won the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, over the seven years since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

For details of all this year's Queen's Award for Voluntary Service winners and information on how to nominate a group that really makes a difference, visit www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk, where a nomination form can be downloaded.