King’s Award For Harborough Morsbag Volunteers

A dedicated team who work tirelessly to reduce the use of plastic bags in Market Harborough have been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Harborough Morsbags was launched in 2008 and since then have made over 45,000 shopping bags from unwanted fabric, to give away to members of the community.

One of the Harborough Morsbags team making a bag

The 20-strong team of volunteer sewers have been awarded the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK in recognition of their work and the announcement was made yesterday, on the King’s Birthday.

Two of the volunteers will now be invited attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2025.

Cyndy Claydon from the group spoke to HFM’s Nick Shaw about receiving the award and what the group does:

Harborough Morsbags volunteers at work

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council has helped mark previous milestone with Harborough Morsbags and has congratulated the group:

A Harborough Morsbag

Groups in other parts of Leicestershire have also been honoured.

Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE CStJ, said: “I am delighted that so many of Leicestershire’s wonderful voluntary groups have received the recognition they deserve in this year of the King’s Awards for Voluntary Service.

“This award is a fitting tribute to their compassion, dedication, and selflessness in helping others. I am eagerly looking forward to presenting the awards and meeting the volunteers who dedicate their time to others.”