A MUCH-LOVED Wellington charity is celebrating after it was shortlisted for a prestigious volunteer award.

Reminiscence Learning, a charity that works to increase awareness of dementia, was nominated for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2018.

Sadly the team was not successful, but are taking pride in reaching the point they did.

They had to keep the secret for a year before speaking out about their achievements.

Chief executive, Fiona Mahoney, said: “Last August Reminiscence Learning were nominated for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2018, the equivalent of an MBE.

“Since this initial excitement, we have been through a rigorous vetting process, with an intensive interview, by the deputy Lord Lieutenant. This resulted in our nomination going through a series of panels and ultimately reaching the final stage.

“We were then under a silence embargo for nearly a year.

“It is only the crème de la crème who reach the final stages and who are considered and ultimately given this prestigious award. Unfortunately, we did not receive the ultimate award but are extremely proud to have reached the final 10 nominated in Somerset.

“I feel very humble as the chief executive of Reminiscence Learning to have reached this final stage and obviously a little disappointed.

“I would like to thank my team and others involved, from the bottom of my heart for all the excellent work you do for our charity at Reminiscence Learning. For all the loyalty and dedication, plus the hours, above and beyond that you give voluntarily, in order to make this charity successful. But more importantly allowing us to deliver a service that is second to none and ultimately one that makes a huge difference to the people we all care about in our community.

“We are a very professional and unique charity who have a very high profile within the care industry.

“We are going to make the most out of our amazing nomination.”