Aberdeen based charity the Russell Anderson Foundation has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025.
This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Formed in 2012, the Russell Anderson Foundation began by delivering free football sessions to children in some of the more socially deprived areas of the city. These days, what RAF does encompasses so much more than just football. The whole ethos of the Foundation is to empower children to make good decisions and give them a chance to reach their potential. The Foundation works with children on a weekly basis across its partner schools in the city and, although a large part of the work remains focused on health and well-being and being physically active, and also works with the schools in other areas to improve attainment levels and help with better outcomes for the pupils. This includes practical cooking lessons, food support, mentoring programmes, workplace visits and employability opportunities to name some of the programmes the Foundation is currently delivering.
The Russell Anderson Foundation is one of 231 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year and only the 22nd from the city in the award’s history. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2025 marks the third year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a group of dog walkers clearing up their local area in Kincardineshire; a group providing unique flying experiences for people with disabilities in Hampshire. A group providing support to veterans and their families across Welsh Valley communities; a group running a museum and nonprofit railway In Belfast, preserving Northern Ireland's railway heritage.
Representatives of the Foundation will receive the award crystal and certificate from Dr. David Cameron Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Aberdeen in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers will attend a garden party at Holyrood House in July 2026.
Founder Russell Anderson commented: “It’s fantastic that our work has been recognised, and is testament to the work of not only our coaches, but also the great work of our volunteers, both individuals and organisations, such as Imajica Brand Evolution who are heavily involved with the charity on a regular basis and receiving the award is something we are rightly extremely proud of.”