Annual awards ceremony celebrates phenomenal Parks Trust volunteers.
There was an atmosphere of joyful celebration on Friday evening, 7th February, as The Parks Trust celebrated their incredible team of volunteers.
This year’s annual Volunteer Celebration and Awards Evening celebrated the immense support shown to the Trust in 2024. This group of people generously take on roles ranging from Volunteer Rangers and Wardens, Events and Activities Volunteers, Outdoor Learning Volunteers, Conservation Volunteers and Wildlife Surveyors and the annual awards evening celebrates everyone involved in work across those areas.
In 2024, Parks Trust volunteers contributed over 11,000 volunteer hours, supporting the Trust in various roles, from leading walks and conservation work to wildlife surveying and assisting with outdoor learning. Their support is invaluable to the charity and its work across the city.
Andrew White from Great Linford was selected as the winner of the particularly special “Volunteer of the Year” award. Andrew joined as a volunteer through The Trust’s heritage work at Great Linford Manor Park, and his dedication has been remarkable. From laying woodchip paths and working on the walled garden to supporting Outdoor Learning sessions, Andrew's contributions have always been outstanding. He also dons costumes for Heritage days, regularly leads walks for the 5 Ways Café, and is a long-standing member of the Friends of Great Linford Manor Park committee. Andrew’s care and dedication to Milton Keynes’ green spaces and his advocacy for heritage make him a deserving Volunteer of the Year award winner.
David Lewis, Recreation and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at The Parks Trust, says, “In 2024 over 14 million people across the UK volunteered. We're so grateful and fortunate here at The Parks Trust to have the best 250 of those volunteer with us. Our amazing volunteers are at the heart of everything we do and celebrating their effort and achievements is the highlight of the year for me. Throughout the year they've taken part in events, training, wildlife surveys, Health Walks and kept the parks safe and clean for everyone to enjoy”.
The Parks Trust wholeheartedly congratulates all the winners and thanks all their volunteers for another successful year. The full list of winners can be found at theparkstrust.com/volunteerawards
