A GROUP set up to provide equipment and support to enable people with disabilities enjoy the benefits of cycling and the outdoors has been given a royal award.
Gateway Wheelers, based in Bullion Hall, Chester-le-Street, received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
It was presented by Lord-Lieutenant Paul Nicholson and Lady Nicholson, on behalf of the Queen, at the Durham County Cricket Club on Wednesday evening.
The voluntary group is one of 104 organisations across the UK to win an award this year.
All winners are nominated by members of the public who have either benefited from their work, or seen the positive effect on their community.
The award is only given to those groups in which volunteers are judged to have regularly devoted their time to providing an outstanding level of help to other people.
Ed Miliband, Minister for the Third Sector (volunteer and community group, said: "I congratulate the winners of the Queen's Award and pay tribute to the brilliant work they do.
"Throughout our country and in every walk of life, they make a huge contribution to social cohesion, community renewal and social justice."
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