THE Argus Appeal has been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service after 60 years of supporting people in the community and handing out thousands of pounds to good causes.

The news that our appeal has been awarded what is the “MBE for volunteer groups” was announced today.

It comes as The Argus Appeal celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

Appeal co-ordinator Elsa Gillio said she was over the moon that the charity had been recognised in such a way.

She said: “Over six decades The Argus Appeal has helped the most in need in our community.

“The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises the difference the charity and the volunteers who fundraise for us have made all over the county.

“So we graciously accept this award as we celebrate our 60th year.”

Yesterday. The Argus Appeal deputy chairman Andy Parkes, group editor, attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace in the presence of the Queen.

The charity will be presented with the award by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Peter Field on a date still be fixed.

The charity was nominated for the award by reader Warren Cooper after it helped raise £96,000 to keep his brother Neil, from Portslade, who was diagnosed with cancer, alive for almost another year.

Writing in his nomination, Mr Cooper said: “The Argus Appeal took on this cause and, following a campaign, more than £96,000 was raised by volunteers to help my brother.

“The funds were raised by the whole community including binmen who carried buckets on the side of their dustcarts.

“This financial support was coupled with practical and emotional support and still, ten years later, means the world to me.”

The Argus Appeal is an independent charity which has been administered by The Argus newspaper since its founding in 1957.

It is believed to be the only newspaper charity of its kind in the country.

In particular the appeal helps disadvantaged children, the elderly, people with disabilities and other groups or charities considered by the trustees to be appropriate for a fund allocation which will “make a difference”.

Behind it is an army of fundraisers who allow the charity to keep on giving to the most in need in the county.

They include the cyclists who rode 150 miles in The Argus Appeal Brighton to Paris Bike Ride last summer.

Also among the volunteers are employees from Brighton and Hove Buses who have supported the appeal by helping to run the Santa Bus which raised an all-time record amount of £30,686.21 this year after match funding from Lloyds Bank Group City Park.

Martin Harris, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, said: “I’m delighted for The Argus Appeal. It’s a true testament to the vital role the paper plays in our community.

“Every town and city is the stronger for a healthy local paper and I’m pleased to say The Argus is looking great and I look forward to another 60 years of The Argus Appeal.”