In 2021, Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) completes 25 years, since founded as Inter Faith Forum in 1996 and 20 years since registered as independent Charity in 2001.
Earlier it was announced by the Buckingham Palace in its Press Release that Luton Council of Faiths is one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) this year.
Expressing her delight and joy that LCoF was the only one voluntary organisation in the whole of the county of Bedfordshire which has been recognised this year, in a recently held QAVS Award Presentation Ceremony, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, while presenting the award said, “It is a great honour for me to present this award on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. This is the highest award given to Volunteer Groups in the UK. To win this award is a tremendous achievement and shows the highest recognition of all the volunteers and staff of Luton Council of Faiths.”
“Luton Council of Faiths started their work 25 years ago in a very calm, subtle, non-confrontational way and has been a conduit to unite the multitude of faiths creating individual understanding and respect for each other. The last year or so has been extraordinary and something we could never have predicted or planned for. I am very proud of the way LCoF has stepped up and responded throughout the pandemic and lockdown.”
“With volunteers at the heart of its activities, Luton Council of Faiths is an exceptionally well-run, high quality organisation and represents the very best example of how well co-ordinated and dedicated volunteers can make a genuine impact on everyone that uses their services.”
High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Eric Masih said the greatest legacy anyone can leave behind is to positively impact the lives of others because that way what you leave behind is not something engraved in a stone monument but it is seen in the lives of our fellow human beings and that is what Luton Council of Faiths has done over the years.
Mayor of Luton Cllr Mahmood Hussain thanked LCoF for bringing and keeping Luton’s diverse faith communities together, consistently over the years, which makes Luton’s stand stronger, taller and resilient in the worst as well as at the best of the times.
Cllr Hazel Simmons applauded LCoF being one of the most stable institutional partners that the Luton Council has worked over the years.
GRASSROOTS Chair Revd Canon David Lawson, being a partner, congratulated LCoF but also reminded all present that we still got mountains to climb; we are up against all kinds and forms of pandemic such as racism, poverty, unemployment, extremism but biggest of all is climate change. He presented to all dignitaries a book titled Climate Change is Racist: Race, Privilege and the Struggle for Climate Justice, written by Luton based author Jeremy Williams.
LCoF’s Chair Zafar Khan & Vice Chair Gulie Butcher thanked all for their support, encouragement and goodwill, particularly its progenitor GRASSROOTS Programme, Luton Borough Council and now the support from Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation (BLCF) and the London Luton Airport Ltd (LLAL) Community Investment Fund programme.
It was regretted that due to pandemic restrictions, very limited number of LCoF volunteers could be invited to attend the Award Presentation but in her vote of thanks Gulie Butcher thanked all of Luton’s faith leaders, Luton’s faith communities, volunteers and partners.
Thanking God for LCoF’s services, using the famous quote, Bishop Richard Atkinson said “For all that has been, Thanks. For all that is to come, Yes!”
After the event, in his email message, Robert Oakley, Deputy Lieutenant heading the QAVS Assessment Panel at Bedfordshire Lieutenancy, said, “It is a rather belated but nonetheless very sincere thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon presentation of your very much deserved Queens Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). It was a memorable occasion and such a strong tribute to all your amazing work within the Luton Community, demonstrating how much your endeavours are appreciated by the leaders and influencers within Luton. Every time we meet, I learn more about Luton Council of Faiths from your depth of history and how you strengthen and unify the whole community. Both the Lord Lieutenant and I privately commented that we thought that your award was the most significant and important QAVS award within the county for several years such is the impact of what you achieve for the community of Luton.”
