Cornwall Pride, Cornwall’s leading LGBTQ+ charity and volunteer organisation, has been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest honour a local voluntary group can receive in the UK.
All images Kai Greet Photography and Cornwall Pride
Cornwall Pride, Cornwall’s leading LGBTQ+ charity and volunteer organisation, has been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest honour a local voluntary group can receive in the UK.
This national recognition celebrates over 17 years of Cornwall Pride’s community-driven work in promoting equality, acceptance, and inclusion across the Duchy. Powered entirely by volunteers, Cornwall Pride delivers events, outreach programmes, and campaigns that champion love and visibility for everyone, everywhere in Cornwall. The recognition celebrates the hundreds of volunteers, past and present, who have given their time, creativity, and care to help build a more inclusive Cornwall.
Matthew Kenworthy Gomes, Chair of Cornwall Pride, said: “Being awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is an incredible honour, and one that belongs to every volunteer, partner, and supporter who has helped shape Cornwall Pride. From our first Pride in 2008 to the thriving movement we see today, Cornwall Pride has always been by the community, for the community.
"This award recognises the dedication, kindness, and courage of everyone who makes Pride happen across Cornwall, and it’s incredibly meaningful to be recognised alongside Pride in London, which achieved this honour in 2018. It shows just how powerful community-led Pride can be, wherever it takes place.
"It’s a bittersweet moment too, because while we celebrate how far we’ve come, we know the road to true inclusion is still a long one. That’s exactly why we keep going, together.”
Cornwall Pride is among a small number of voluntary groups across the UK and Channel Islands to receive this prestigious award in 2025, reflecting the remarkable contribution volunteers make to strengthening and supporting local communities.
Representatives from Cornwall Pride will receive the award and certificate from Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, in the coming months. Two volunteers will also attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2026, alongside other King’s Award recipients.
A Cornwall Pride volunteer said: “This recognition means the world to all of us. It’s a moment to celebrate every single person who’s given their time, energy, and heart to make Cornwall Pride happen. It shows that when we come together, no matter who we are, we can create something truly powerful.”
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was established in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and continues under His Majesty The King. It recognises outstanding volunteer-led work that makes a significant difference to local communities.
Matthew concluded: “For the Cornwall Pride community and supporters - this award belongs to you. Every volunteer, performer, partner, business, ally, and attendee who has waved a flag, cooked a meal, stewarded a march, or simply showed up in love and solidarity, this is your moment.”
