A VOLUNTARY Taunton group that supports displaced people around the world has received a birthday present from King Charles on the day he turns 75 (Tuesday, November 14).

Refugee Aid From Taunton (RAFT) has been given The King's Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent to the MBE for voluntary organisations.

RAFT, set up in 2015 following the refugee crisis in Syria, is recognised for its work in Somerset supporting resettled families alongside the community.

Federica Smith-Roberts, chairperson and founder, said: “We are extremely honoured to be recognised for our work supporting refugees and displaced people within Somerset and further afield.

"As a completely voluntary organisation, this award is an incredible achievement for all those who have volunteered and supported us, ensuring we have helped thousands of people along the way.

READ MORE: RAFT on the move.

"It is testament to the hard work of our trustees and volunteers as we are completely voluntary run to be recognised with this award.

"We strive to support all those fleeing war, persecution and conflict on arriving in the South West alongside tackling deprivation locally and following a zero waste mantra."

Receiving the same award is West Somerset Food Cupboard, which originated in 2007 from a church group's response to food deprivation.

It has relationships with frontline agencies, which are in daily touch with the most troubled and deprived people in the community.

The WSFC relies on those agencies to identify need and collect and deliver food boxes or parcels to people in need.

The WSFC volunteers collect donated food, quality control it, and sort it into emergency boxes designed to feed a family of four for three days, or bags for single people with no access to cooking facilities.

Manager Ali Sanderson said: “We are delighted and honoured to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Services.

"We are fortunate to have more than 50 volunteers on the team and we are very grateful to every one of them for generously contributing their time, skills and energy.

“They are the reason that we are able to continue to support those in greatest need in this community each week. So, it’s fantastic to have the team’s efforts acknowledged in this way.”

Deputy Lieutenant Jane Sedgman, who oversees the nomination process in Somerset on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant, said: “The award is prestigious and is an encouragement for those who give so generously of their time and expertise.

“It follows an exacting assessment which is recognised and can also open the doors to funding streams which might otherwise prove very hard to access.

"So, there are practical benefits in addition to the emotional rewards.”