The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK and celebrates their outstanding work and contribution to the community. Commenting on social media on June 2, a spokesperson for the Newtownabbey-based group said: “Rathfern Community Regeneration Group (RCRG) have this morning been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is the MBE for community organisations. RCRG have accepted this award on behalf of the people of Rathfern.” Congratulating the group, South Antrim Alliance MLA John Blair said: “This good news gives recognition and encouragement to the group’s members who have worked hard to assist the local people and community. “It gives me great pleasure to say to them a hearty well done and wish them the very best for the future.” ---- Click here to read Upper Hightown works ‘extended to second week’ -- A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers. Please consider purchasing a copy of the paper. You can also support trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription of the News Letter.