Annabelle's Challenge receives The Queen's Award

The Queen's Award

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

Annabelle’s Challenge are proud recipients of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The unique UK national honour was created by Her Majesty to mark the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and to recognise the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups of volunteers.

The award is equivalent to the MBE and is the highest award that can be made to a voluntary group.

Our founders Jared and Sarah received an invitation to attend a Buckingham Palace garden party hosted by Her Majesty The Queen and members of the royal family.

Jared "We are so proud to receive the Queen’s Award on behalf of all our volunteers who support the important work we do for patients and families touched by vascular EDS, receiving this award is a real morale booster recognising the work of the volunteers".

Annabelle’s Challenge is among 27 other volunteer groups in the county to receive the award with 250 nationally announced on June 2nd 2018.

Victoria Jennings, volunteer and vEDS parent, said “We have also experienced the charity helping us on a smaller scale too, in that recently my son went into hospital for 2 weeks at GOSH. Annabelle’s challenge found out and sent down a gift of some Lego for my son so that he had something to occupy him as well as some cash for treats so that he could be a little bit spoiled! It was totally unexpected but such a lovely gesture and was even more surprised when Jared himself popped into GOSH to see us during our stay there”.

Jared “A special mention also to Karan Lee for nominating Annabelle’s Challenge for the Queen’s Award”.

Dr Glenda Sobey, Clinical Lead NHS EDS Diagnostic Service “The fact that Annabelle's diagnosis led to you and your family establishing this charity specifically for vascular Ehlers Danlos syndrome has been a wonderful benefit for all patients with vascular EDS and their families. We find that, in rare disease, a great comfort is provided by a charity which is both knowledgeable and supportive. It is a great privilege for the National Diagnostic Service to work closely together with you and we have very positive feedback from our patients who have been in touch with the Charity".

Representatives and volunteers from Annabelle’s Challenge attended a formal presentation at The Monastery in Manchester along with the Mayors of the Ten Boroughs of Greater Manchester. The award were presented by the Lord-Lieutenant and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant.

Volunteer for us

Our objective is to support everyone affected by vascular EDS who needs us and we need the help of our volunteers to help achieve this. So, whether you can volunteer a whole day or a few hours, your support will make a huge difference to families affected by vascular EDS and we need your help!

We rely on our volunteers for activities such as holding bucket collections and awareness stands and assisting at our fundraising events across Greater Manchester and beyond. We’ll provide you with an Annabelle's Challenge T-shirt and all you need to bring on the day is your enthusiasm!