The awards started in the Queen's Golden Jubilee year

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service began in 2002 to mark the Golden Jubilee with winners announced on the anniversary of the coronation - 2 June.

Blackheath's Age Exchange, NSF Sunrise in Greenwich and the Cocktail Crew at Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals are among the winners.

Winning groups get a certificate signed by the Queen and a crystal award.

Vital role

The award recognises the vital role voluntary groups play throughout the UK.

In total, 110 groups have been chosen as winners this year.

Save the World Club based in Kingston upon Thames, the African Youth Organisation in Plaistow and the Brent Indian Community Centre in Willesden were due to pick up an award.

Also celebrating are the Somali Family Support Group in Finchley, the British Red Cross Skin Camouflage Service in Uxbridge, Middlesex, the Food Chain from Archway and west London's Genuine Empowerment of Mothers in Society group.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "The Queen was pleased to see such a wide range of winners for this year's Queen's Award for Voluntary Service which recognises the many teams of volunteers throughout the country which give so generously of their time and energy to help others."

All winners were nominated by members of the public who have benefited from their efforts or seen the effect on their community.

The deadline for nomination's for next year's awards is 30 September 2004.