THE royal seal of approval is being given to charity chiefs in Glasgow who make dreams come true for the dying, chronically sick, disabled and disadvantaged.

The Symphony of Dreams Trust is to be presented with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord Provost Sadie Docherty at the City Chambers this month.

The top national honour is in recognition of the work done by the city charity which has fulfilled the musical dreams of more than 1000 terminally ill, sick and disabled people.

Its events have included 10 group music projects and made dreams come true by arranging for fans to meet their favourite bands and performers including Blue and Ronan Keating.

Four girls with spina bifida met Irish boyband Westlife while a cerebral palsy victim met rockers Status Quo.

The Trust was launched by Linda Ann McConnell, its voluntary manager.

She said: "It is an honour to receive royal recognition by winning the Queen's Award."

Linda Ann has also won two previous awards and last year was a finalist of our sister newspaper's Herald Society Unsung Hero Award. She is delighted with what is the MBE for charities.

She added: "It gives hope for the future to keep Symphony of Dreams a reality."

Linda Ann embraced music in the 50s thanks to her mother's record collection and was overwhelmed by Elvis Presley.

She said: "My dream was to meet 'The King.' My dream didn't come true so I founded The Symphony of Dreams Trust in 2000 to try to help others make their musical dreams come true."

The Queen's award is the highest national honour for voluntary groups.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk