The Queen has recognised the hard work of a unique team of volunteers with a prestigious award.

The Crescent Support Group has been given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to voluntary groups in the UK.

The charity is run by a team of 12 volunteers who work in around St Albans to support those living with or affected by HIV.

Head of operations Iain Murtagh said: "It feels absolutely amazing to receive the award in recognition of the hard work of our volunteers and staff, without whom we simply could not provide the range of services for those living with or affected by HIV.

"We would like to thank all those who have helped us continue to do so.

"Without the support of the wonderful people of St Albans, who have donated time and money to help us in our hour of need, we simply would not have survived.

"This award is for all of you and we wish to express, on behalf of our hundreds of members, our heartfelt thanks to you all."

The charity, based in Russell Avenue, provides multiple services including a daily open access drop in, evening and weekend sessions, education, prevention and outreach services, complementary therapies, HIV testing by post and instant testing onsite, advice, signposting and advocacy, peer support, emotional support and counselling.

The Crescent Support Group, which helps around 300 HIV sufferers a year, used to open five times a week, but has since cut back to three after Hertfordshire County Council withdrew their funding in June 2011.

Since then, volunteers have continued to run the charity, which has been around for 28 years, through their own money and donations.

Mr Murtagh, whose parents have both been involved in the charity, attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace last month with other winners of this year’s award.

He added: "There is still much more to do, HIV is still a very unfairly stigmatised condition.

"It is also still a major public health issue with one in six people living with HIV unaware they have the virus and over 6,000 new diagnoses in 2014.

"We have much work to do, but together we can beat HIV.

"It is our hope now that the county council might reinstate our funding.

"We are often on the brink of failure and making sure we stay open takes up an enormous amount of time.

"We are obviously a much needed service amd it is our hope this is recognised.

"It is my dreams that one day there will be a cure and our services won't be needed. It feels marvellous to have been recognised with the award."

The Crescent is one of 193 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award from the Queen this year.

In the coming months, the groups will receive their certificate signed by Her Majesty The Queen along with an exclusive commemorative crystal presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, The Countess of Verulam.