MMKAC receive Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club have been presented the Queen's Award for Volunrary Service - the MBE equivalent for volunteer groups.

In an online ceremony, attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher and the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Andrew Geary, the club was presented with the award.

MMKAC volunteers manage the track, carry out grounds maintenance, raise funding, organise road races, track meetings and cross-country meetings and manage successful teams. MMKAC has excellent qualified volunteer officials and coaches. It provides coaching for over 400 youngsters, is nationally recognised for its coaching structures and has one Olympic Champion.

MMKAC is managed by a committee of 22 volunteers, more than 50 qualified volunteer coaches, 40 qualified officials and over 700 athletes.

MMKAC has produced four Olympic athletes over the last 12 years, including Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth Long Jump Champion, Greg Rutherford. Two members won medals at the Rio Paralympic Games.

There are never enough volunteers in any sport. The club has been very successful in encouraging its members to volunteer to take on roles in a variety of areas from the clubhouse kitchen, grounds maintenance, management of the facility and so on, that would normally be provided by a local authority. Many of these volunteers have been operating for more than 25 years.

The club has policies in place for the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable adults, and two welfare officers are members of the club committee. All officials and coaches are required to undergo CRB checks in order to renew their licenses every three years.