
Christ Church, Falkirk welcomed His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, Alan Simpson CVO OBE FRSE, on 29 January.
The Lord-Lieutenant conferred The King’s Award for Voluntary Service upon the Friends of Scottish Settlers (FoSS) for its work supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Falkirk Council area.
The Revd Canon Sarah Shaw, who is both Chair of FoSS and Rector of Christ Church – where the charity’s meetings and newcomers’ English classes are hosted – accepted the award on behalf of FoSS.
While FoSS is a separate charity, three members of the congregation at Christ Church were founding trustees, and several others currently work as befrienders.
Ms Shaw said: “We are overjoyed that His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, Alan Simpson OBE, was able to come to Christ Church, Falkirk on Wednesday to present The King’s Award for Voluntary Service to the Friends of Scottish Settlers.
“It means so much to FoSS and its team of dedicated volunteers to receive the support and recognition of His Majesty King Charles III through this prestigious award.
“In their work, our volunteers offer freely their empathy, time, creativity and sensitivity to the refugees and asylum seekers of our community, enabling them to flourish in Falkirk and beyond.”