Every year a select group of Cumbria’s top conservation volunteers are chosen by Cumbria’s dedicated wildlife charity to receive the special award to thank them for their many years of hard work in helping and raising awareness of wildlife.

Janet Antrobus, from Kendal, was chosen for her commitment to removing invasive plants along the River Kent and to botanical surveying on many of our restoration projects. Ruth Carling and Sue Gibson were selected for their dedication to Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s local support groups. Laurence Carlyle, John Gorrill, Ann and Philip James, and David Stevenson were all honoured for their commitment to volunteering at nature reserves. Alison Whalley was chosen for her commitment to wildlife through her work at the Environment Agency.

The longstanding volunteers were presented with the Gold Badger’s Paw Awards by Stephen Trotter, CEO, and John Farmer, Chair, at Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Annual Conference, held at Kendal Rugby Club on Friday (11 October).

Stephen Trotter, Chief Executive of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, paid tribute to their outstanding work, saying: “Volunteers play a vital part in making Cumbria Wildlife Trust a success. They help us to achieve our aims and we really value their commitment, support and hard work. It is fair to say that Cumbria Wildlife Trust was created by volunteers, is maintained by volunteers and will only be able to continue its work, thanks to its many volunteers. It is amazing how many people work so hard for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, in so many different ways, and for free. We are incredibly grateful to them all.”

To find out more about volunteering at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, go to https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer.