YOUNG carers were given a royal seal of approval at a ceremony in Ellesmere Port.

The Princess Royal visited St John Ambulance Cheshire Young Carers to present the charity with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall, in recognition of the outstanding service it delivers to young carers.

Since 1997 the Cheshire Young Carers project has provided guidance, support and respite for young people in West Cheshire aged six-18 who are often responsible for a parent or sibling who has a physical disability, mental illness or misuses substances.

Her Royal Highness, who is commandant in chief (youth) for St John Ambulance, met 50 young carers who are supported by the Cheshire Young Carers project and heard about their lives and the work the charity does, providing holistic support to the young carers.

She then presented the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to Matt Howie, a volunteer with Cheshire Young Carers.

The accompanying certificate was presented to Emma Price, also a volunteer.

Guests included Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs, Cheshire West and Chester Council chairman Cllr Eleanor Johnson, MP Andrew Miller and Ellesmere Port mayor Cllr Angela Claydon. They were joined by more than 80 members and friends of St John Ambulance Cheshire Young Carers.

Lindsay Weaver, programme manager for St John Ambulance Cheshire Young Carers, said: “The volunteers who work hard to make the delivery of this service possible are incredible individuals. Each volunteer makes an immense difference to the lives of the young carers and their families simply by using their own skills and experience to help another. The award is recognition of the outstanding contribution that these volunteers make.”

Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs MBE said: “It is tremendous that Her Majesty the Queen has given this honour to the volunteers who give their time and their skill to help others who are so much less fortunate than they are – they truly are heroes in our community and that has now been rightly recognised.”

Mr Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, said: “I am particularly pleased that these young people’s dedication has been recognised.”