Charity workers and volunteer counsellors based in Kempston have received further national recognition after winning the Patron’s Award for Charity Organisations at the British Quality Foundation (BQF) awards last night (Thursday) at Wembley Stadium.
HRH Princess Royal, Patron of BQF, presented the prestigious honour to the Road Victims Trust (RVT), which provides specialist bereavement counselling and practical support to families across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
Royal presentation
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The charity, which has supported local people through sudden tragedy for 32 years, was selected in the category for organisations that consistently put others’ needs first.
Paul Cook, chief executive officer of the Road Victims Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted and immensely proud to have received the BQF Patron’s Award for 2026.
“The Road Victims Trust has existed for over thirty years to support individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by fatal and life-changing road collisions. Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a story.
“The consequences of these collisions can last a lifetime, and our role is to support those affected as they learn to navigate a world that has changed forever.
“At the heart of our charity are the passion, compassion and commitment of our staff, volunteer counsellors and trustees.
“This award recognises the extraordinary contribution they all make, often quietly and without recognition, to the lives of individuals and families across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of them. It is their dedication that makes the Road Victims Trust such a unique charity, and I am incredibly proud to see their work recognised in this way.”
Community support
RVT staff and volunteers deliver direct emotional support and practical guidance to local families grieving following serious or fatal road incidents.
“RVT are so proud to receive this award for our volunteers, staff and ultimately the clients we serve,” noted Sarah Frederickson, clinical lead at the charity.
“RVT have provided counselling and practical support for anyone affected by fatal and serious collisions across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire for the last 32 years.
“This really is such an honour, and we’re grateful to all of our supporters and partners.”
Essential service
The annual BQF awards highlight leadership, community impact and operational excellence across organisations across the UK.
Highlighting the extraordinary effort behind the service, Chair of Trustees at RVT Lyn Hesse added, “This award is recognition of the dedication of the small team of staff and volunteers that provide the essential support for individuals and families in their time of need following a sudden death on the road.
“To receive this national recognition is incredible for a small charity like ours, highlighting the need for individual support following a road death.
“We are very proud of this achievement and the dedication it rewards, but acknowledge that it is no consolation for the loss felt by those whom we support.”
To learn more about the Road Victims Trust and access their services, visit their website.
