Lucy Wood reports…
DEDICATED teams and individuals who give their time free to the Canal & River Trust have been honoured.
Recognition has been given to those who work on the CRT’s 250-year-old navigable network in the charity’s annual volunteer awards, which reflect the diversity of achievements made to keep these waterways open and alive.
Awards for Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Team of the Year, Lead Volunteer of the Year and Young Volunteer of the Year were made. Christine Mellor, head of volunteering at the CRT, said: “Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and I’d like to thank everyone who’s chosen to give their time volunteering on the canals.
“We simply couldn’t keep our waterways navigable and alive without the incredible dedication, enthusiasm and skills of our volunteers. They play a huge part in protecting these vital spaces, whether by getting stuck into practical work, helping boaters through locks, inspiring the next generation of canal supporters and even providing invaluable assistance during our response to flooding brought about by climate change.
“It’s amazing to see what we can achieve together, and it really shows how canals can bring people and communities together.”
The awards scheme, in partnership with the Marsh Charitable Trust, a grant-making body supporting registered charities, is open to all its volunteers across regional and national teams. Recipients this year include volunteer lock keepers, towpath taskforce teams who have transformed their local areas, education volunteers who have taught children about water safety, people who have been instrumental in the charity’s response to floods, a team which has led on tackling overgrown vegetation, and another that has delivered wildlife improvements.
Brian Marsh OBE, chairman at the Marsh Charitable Trust, said: “We are pleased to be able to work with the Canal & River Trust once again to deliver these awards, recognising those who give their time to volunteer on our nation’s waterways, enhancing their heritage and supporting the well-being of those that use them.
“We would like to congratulate the individuals and volunteer teams who have been recognised and look forward to continuing to highlight these invaluable contributions in years to come.”
Award ceremonies took place in each of the Canal & River Trust’s six regions during October. Find out more about volunteering for the CRT at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer
Award recipients
Yorkshire and North East
Individual: Philippa Gibbons.
Team: Chesterfield Canal Towpath Taskforce.
Young Volunteer: Antonia Geldard.
Lead Volunteer: Paul Richardson.
North West
Individual: Karryn Brooks.
Team: Wigan Water Safety Education Volunteers.
Young Volunteer: Adam Kearsley.
Lead Volunteer: Barbara Sharples.
Wales and South West
Individual: Siou Coleman.
Team: Planned Canal Maintenance Team, Eastern Kennet & Avon.
Lead Volunteer: Sally Hodnett.
West Midlands
Individual: Judith Foulkes.
Team: The Hatton Coir Roil Project Team.
Young Volunteer: George Dunn.
Lead Volunteer: Tina Jones.
East Midlands
Individual: Rob Westlake.
Team: The Beeston and Meadow Lane Towpath Taskforce.
Young Volunteer: Cameron Fletcher.
Lead Volunteer: Martin Pearce.
London & South East
Individual: Andy Gee.
Team: Milton Keynes Offside Vegetation Project.
Young Volunteer: Peter Brookwalker.
Lead Volunteer: John Thomlinson.
