Pride in Hull, a charity led by a dedicated group of volunteers based in Hull have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025.
This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Primarily known for organising Hull’s annual Pride event, which last year saw footfall in Hull city centre reach 175,000, the charity is also involved with other activities and events providing advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. Recently they hosted the annual UK Pride Organisers Network Conference which saw many other pride organisers from around the UK come to Hull for a full weekend of networking and peer support discussions.
Pride in Hull is one of 232 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2025 marks the third year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday.
Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a group of dog walkers clearing up their local area in Kincardineshire; 6a group providing unique flying experiences for people with disabilities in Hampshire. A group providing support to veterans and their families across Welsh Valley communities; a group running a museum and nonprofit railway In Belfast, preserving Northern Ireland’s railway heritage.
Representatives of Pride in Hull will receive the award crystal and certificate from Mr Jim Dick OBE CStJ, Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from Pride in Hull will attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May or June 2026, along with other recipients of this year’s award.
Andy Train, Chair of Pride in Hull said: “How delighted and honoured I am that our team’s work has been recognised in this way. It’s very fitting as 2026 will be the 25th year of there being a pride in Hull. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is important recognition for all the hard work and dedication by all our volunteers, officers and trustees both now and over the years. Being your true authentic self regardless of gender identity and sexuality is everyone’s right. Pride events still have a very real and important place in today’s society.”
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Mr. Jim Dick OBE CStJ, said: “I’m delighted that Pride in Hull have been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This prestigious award recognises and celebrates the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and impact of volunteers who give their time selflessly to support others. Their work embodies the very best of our communities and is a shining example of the power of voluntary service. We commend them for making a lasting difference in the lives of so many – their hard work genuinely changes lives and strengthens our communities. My congratulations on this outstanding achievement.”