A MANNINGTREE environmental organisation has been nominated for a King's Award after forming nearly five years ago.

PACE was formed in April 2019 after Sarah Smith, from Mistley, went on Facebook to see if anyone else in the community wanted to discuss what could be done to combat climate change.

More than 50 people responded, and the youngest of the volunteers, aged 12, came up with a ‘stick man’ design for PACE’s logo.

Now nearly five years on, PACE is a registered charity and has been nominated for the King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Formerly the Queen's Award, KAVS is equivalent to an MBE and is also lifelong as well as the highest award given to local voluntary organisations in the UK.

PACE trustees chairman John Hall said: “Everyone is excited - it’s a great thing to be even nominated.

“Hopefully they will think we are doing enough to receive the award.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Inspiring - Pond Dipping Field Trip with children from Highfields School, LawfordInspiring - Pond Dipping Field Trip with children from Highfields School, Lawford (Image: PACE)

As the former chief exec of the Essex Wildlife Trust, Mr Hall had quite a lot of contact with the then Prince Charles, who has a “tremendous track record” with environmental issues.

Mr Hall said an assessor from the King’s Award will come in February and there will be a wait until around November when the winners are announced.

Becoming a charity in September, 2023 after nearly a year of applications, was also highly important for PACE.

Mr Hall said: “The difference of being registered is to do with resources”

“Volunteers need money, charities are given to much more by the public and we get Gift Aid too – three advantages.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Passionate - John Hall MBE (Right) and Sir David Attenborough (Left)Passionate - John Hall MBE (Right) and Sir David Attenborough (Left) (Image: Archant)

The Manningtree Earth Festival is PACE’s biggest project yet, attended by more than 3,000 visitors on Manningtree High Street.

Almost 500 local school children have had field trips, learning about the environment outside of the classroom.

Mr Hall added: “We don’t need a handful of people doing sustainability perfectly: we need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

PACE has about 20 projects running at present and to find out more visit here.