Mum's fitness charity receives King's award
BBCA mum who started a fitness group to make new friends has been presented with a King's award in recognition of the charity she founded.
Formed in 2009 by Sam Barlow, from Cottingham, Fitmums & Friends now has over 250 volunteers who organise fitness events across Yorkshire.
Ms Barlow said the award was a "remarkable achievement" and accepted it on behalf of "every single volunteer across our charity".
The King's award for voluntary service was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire at a ceremony at the Guildhall in Hull on Saturday.
Ms Barlow said: "I was a lonely mum and I just really wanted to meet people to be more active with, but also to make friends in the playground when my little boy started school, and it's grown considerably."
Over 100 volunteers attended the event in Hull.
Lord Lieutenant, Jim Dick, who presented the award on behalf of the King, said: "This is an award from the King, and it's not given lightly.
"There is a real nomination process, a vetting process, so that only those most worthy of getting this receive the award.
"We should be recognizing as many as people as we can in the East Riding of Yorkshire, including Hull. We have fantastic organizations, fantastic people, fantastic businesses."
Fitmums & Friends is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups in the UK to receive the award in 2024, which is the highest accolade given to local volunteer groups.
Ms Barlow said the award was a "remarkable achievement".
"This is for every single volunteer across our charity, without them we wouldn't be able to provide the incredible things we do," she said.
Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices