Paws on Plastic – a charity run by volunteers, based in Stonehaven, was presented with the commemorative King’s Award for Voluntary Service crystal trophy along with the official certificate signed by King Charles III at a ceremony at Stonehaven Scout Hut on Sunday, 11th January.
This is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. The charity which has a membership/following of over 29,000 across the UK and over 70 countries worldwide, encourages dog owners to pick up a few pieces of litter on walks to protect animals, communities and the environment, removing over 42 million pieces every year. The charity runs monthly beach cleans and arranges litterpicks for schools, community groups and businesses. It also educates on the consequences of littering through visits, talks and community events and is the only charity spreading an environmental message through people’s love for animals which has proved an extremely effective way of getting the message across to people of all ages and backgrounds.
PAWS ON PLASTIC is one of 231 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award in 2025. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2025 marks the third year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday.
Marion Montgomery, the Founder and current Chair of Paws on Plastic received the award’s crystal and certificate from Mr Alastair Macphie, Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire at the event attended by trustees, supporters and members of community groups and organisations in Stonehaven. In addition, two volunteers from Paws on Plastic will attend a Royal Garden Party at either Buckingham Palace or Holyroodhouse in July 2026.
Ms Montgomery said: “I am absolutely delighted and extremely honoured to accept this award on behalf of our trustees and all our amazing members and followers who pick up litter every day on walks with their dogs. It’s such a simple ask when we’re out anyway with our dogs but is great for mental health while adding up to a huge collective impact that protects animals, communities and the environment. I never could have imagined when I started a Facebook group 7 years ago, while on long term sick leave from teaching that I would be here today Founder/Chair of a charity with 29,000 amazing volunteers picking up litter on dog walks which was receiving such a prestigious award – the highest award a UK based charity or voluntary group can receive and one that is a lifetime award for the charity!
Many of our volunteers have since gone on to form their own local litterpicking groups which is amazing. A huge thanks to Jennifer Macdonald who nominated us and submitted the application. Thanks too to our brilliant trustees, both present and past, who have supported the charity over the years. Most of all we’re absolutely delighted that this award highlights the amazing individual work of all our volunteers who remove a phenomenal amount of litter in their communities every year simply while walking their dogs. We hope that many more are inspired to join us and make NOT dropping litter and picking some up when we can, a normal part of an everyday dog walk.’