Volunteer Awards

This year’s ceremony, held at Lee Valley White Water Centre on Wednesday 23 October, acknowledged the achievements of our wonderful volunteers throughout the year.

During the event Authority member John Bevan gave a passionate speech about the great experiences he has had meeting volunteers over the last year, including those at Myddelton House Gardens and Tottenham Marshes. He was also pleased to meet staff who manage volunteers and hear what’s involved in running our programmes.

Chief Executive Shaun Dawson painted a picture of a hugely successful year for volunteering, highlights including:

⭐ A whopping 41,417 volunteer hours in 2023-24

⭐ Improved accuracy in recording hours has resulted in a 200% annual increase from 2022/23

⭐ Volunteering hours continue to be significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels

⭐ Currently our database boasts 572 volunteers and since January 2024 over 300 volunteers have been active

⭐ Volunteers have contributed to another successful year for our open spaces - nine Green Flag Awards, eight London in Bloom Awards, Legacy Award for London Parks 2024

Then, without further ado, it was time to announce this year’s winners. A total of eight groups and nineteen individuals received awards, with nominations coming from staff and fellow volunteers alike. David Andrews, Deputy Chair of the Authority presented certificates to the winners in attendance.

Three cheers for our Volunteers!

2024 winners

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Groups

• Children & young people of CHEXS – Hedgerow management at Fishers Green

• Conservation volunteers – Open spaces

• Garden Volunteers – Myddelton House Gardens

• Goat checkers – Paddocks near to the Bowyers Water

• Learning & Engagement Assistants – Open spaces and venues

• Lifewalk leaders – River Lee Country Park and beyond

• Litter Pickers – Open spaces

• Public Information & Wildlife Officers – Wildlife Discovery Centre

Individuals

• Alexander Eykelbosch – Gardener at Myddelton House Gardens

• Brenda Chanter – Public Information & Wildlife Officer at Wildlife Discovery Centre, Conservation and Wildlife Surveyor at various open spaces

• Caroline Leonard – Volunteer Committee Member, Public Information & Wildlife Officer at Wildlife Discovery Centre and Wildlife Surveyor at various open spaces

• Daniel Galvin – Gardener for Myddelton House Gardens

• David Gilbert – Gardener for Myddelton House Gardens

• David Phillips – Rye House Gatehouse Assistant & Conservation at various open spaces

• Debbie Arnold – Honorary Warden at Amwell Walkway

• Jane Free – Honorary Warden at Stanstead Innings

• John Moore – Public Information and Wildlife Officer at Wildlife Discovery Centre

• Jon Butler – Conservation at various open spaces

• Keith Reast – Litter picking & leading the Lee Valley Wombles in open spaces

• Kevin Peter Mason – Lifewalk volunteer in various open spaces

• Mike Dent – Public Information and Wildlife Officer at Wildlife Discovery Centre

• Paul Kettle – Water Sport Coach at Lee Valley White Water Centre

• Paul White – Fisheries Manager at the Fishers Green Consortium & Public Information and Wildlife Officer at the Wildlife Discovery Centre

• Roger Arbon – Public Information and Wildlife Officer at Wildlife Discovery Centre

• Simon Chilmaid – Water Sport Coach at Lee Valley White Water Centre

• Steven Meale – Rye House Gatehouse Assistant and Honorary Warden

• Sue Hooper – Sensory walks leader at Gunpowder Park