Waterway Awards Celebrate Volunteering Excellence

29 November 2019

Waterways and wellbeing charity Canal & River Trust, together with Marsh Christian Trust, is pleased to announce those recognised at this year’s volunteer awards which celebrate volunteer excellence along the nation’s waterways.

This year awards were given to a team and individual in each of the Trust’s six regions, reflecting the fantastic range of volunteering that takes place across the Trust in England & Wales. 

Richard Parry, chief executive at Canal & River Trust, said: “These awards showcase the fantastic contribution that the Trust’s volunteers make, carrying out a vast array of activities and tasks, bringing their wide and expanding range of skills and experience, along with their enthusiasm, passion and sheer hard work; I offer my congratulations to them all. 

“The award-winners encompass the team of volunteer lock keepers who go beyond the call of duty on the 21-lock Wigan Flight and those who delivered creative transformation of their local stretch further along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal; the small team that undertook the massive task of cataloguing our historic casting patterns at Ellesmere Yard for the National Waterways Museum; those who widened the navigation for boaters at Derwent Mouth on the Trent and those who led a wide-ranging project to restore paddle gear on locks on the Kennet & Avon Canal; and the crucial operational role that a volunteer team plays in London.  Along with the exceptional achievements of the individual volunteer award-winners across the Trust, they each demonstrate the vital role that volunteers continue to play in the life of the waterways.

“Volunteers are tremendously important to the Trust and I’d like to thank all those who gave their time, together amounting to over 670,000 hours, to the Trust last year.  They have made a significant difference to the Trust and the work we do, and their efforts are appreciated by the millions of people who visit and enjoy our waterways.  They help us to make life better by water, for all those who use them, so they are attractive, safe and welcoming places to be.  Our volunteers also demonstrate how our canals, rivers and towpaths can deliver greater wellbeing, showcasing how they improve their own physical and mental health by spending time with us. If others are interested in joining our growing band of amazing volunteers, I’d encourage them to get in touch with their local team or just come along and get involved.”

Brian Marsh, chair at the Marsh Christian 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 wellbeing of those that use them.  This year we have been able to celebrate the achievements of more volunteers, both individuals and teams, across six regions of the UK and we hope to continue to highlight these invaluable commitments in years to come.”

For more information search www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

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