Volunteer Awards

This annual event, attended by more than 90 volunteers, staff, partner organisations and Board Members, recognises the invaluable contribution volunteers make to the park.

This year’s ceremony, held at Lee Valley White Water Centre on Wednesday 15 October, acknowledged the achievements of our wonderful volunteers throughout the year.

During the event Chief Executive Shaun Dawson introduced the volunteers to our new Chairman Ross Houston and Deputy Chair Heather Johnson. Ross and Authority Member John Bevan both gave speeches congratulating volunteers on their achievements and thanking everyone for their help.

Chairman Ross Houston painted a picture of a hugely successful year for volunteering, highlights including:

⭐ A whopping 31,596 hours were completed by 1399 volunteers active across the park during 2024-25 financial year.

⭐ Volunteers have contributed to another successful year for our open spaces - ten Green Flag Awards, Green Heritage Site Accreditation at

Myddelton House Gardens and several London in Bloom Awards

We are lucky to have so many volunteers who show dedication and enthusiasm while helping to ensure our park a safe and enjoyable place for visitors and wildlife.

We are grateful for all the help we receive from all our volunteers across all

departments and venues, whether you give up one hour of your time or 100 hours.

We would like to have a round of applause for all volunteers who have given up their free time to support the park over the years and continue to do so.

Then, without further ado, it was time to announce this year’s winners. A total of nine groups and twenty individuals received awards, with nominations coming from staff, volunteers and partner organisations. Ross Houston presented certificates to the winners in attendance.

Three cheers for our Volunteers!

2025 winners

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Groups

• Gunpowder Park Honorary Wardens – Gunpowder Park

• Learning & Engagement volunteers – Open spaces and venues

• Leaside Trust volunteers - Floating Pennywort removal across open spaces

• Lee Valley Paddlesports Club Volunteers - Various roles from their base within Lee Valley White Water Centre

• Lifewalk leaders – Open spaces

• Nordic Walking volunteers - River Lee Country Park

• Paddle UK Floating Pennywort removal group - Open spaces including near Lee Valley Marina, Springfield

• Ranger Rob & Ranger Olivia’s Honorary Wardens - Open spaces in the north of the park

• Wildlife Discovery Centre volunteers – Wildlife Discovery Centre

Individuals

• Brenda Chanter – Wildlife Discovery Centre volunteer

• Caroline Leonard – Wildlife Discovery Centre volunteer

• Claudia Pavia-Kaplan - Honorary Warden in open spaces in the north of the park

• Darren Spencer – Gardener for Myddelton House Gardens

• Derek Weedon – Honorary Warden at Gunpowder Park

• Donna Mills - Hockey Maker for England Hockey at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre

• Fan Yang - Wildlife Discovery Centre volunteer

• Kate Tudor - Wildlife Discovery Centre volunteer

• Kathy McGowan - Honorary Warden at Tottenham Marshes

• Martin Darling - Conservation volunteer in open spaces

• Pam Goodchild - Litter picking in the north including Turnford Brook, Cheshunt and Wormley

• Rebekah Weatherhead - Wildlife Discovery Centre volunteer

• Ray Stelzner - Learning & Engagement volunteer in open spaces

• Robert Funabashi - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) volunteer from home and in open spaces

• Russell Davenport - Hockey Maker for England Hockey at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre

• Sandy Sutton - Hockey Maker for England Hockey at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis 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

• Tim Payne - Floating Pennywort removal volunteer across open spaces

• Tairat Adoti - Wildlife Discovery Centre volunteer

We would also like to thank all the staff who go the extra mile to support our

volunteers and make sure they have a great experience whilst volunteering within the park.