Congratulations to BMC Peak Area volunteer Henry Folkard who has received a prestigious national award for his exceptional contribution to volunteering in sport.

Henry was presented with the Torch Trophy Trust award by HRH The Earl of Wessex at the annual award ceremony at the Army and Navy Club in London on Wednesday 19 November. Henry was one of 16 sport volunteers who were honoured and congratulated by Torch Trophy Trust president Sir Bobby Charlton, CBE.

The BMC nominated Henry for the award as he has volunteered tirelessly for the BMC since 1999. Henry puts in about 30-35 hours of his spare time per week to help with issues focusing on access to the countryside, nature conservation and environmental protection.

Recently, Henry has been instrumental in discussions with conservation organisations and land owners to safeguard access and protect birds during the nesting season, he's involved in the management of BMC-owned Horseshoe Quarry and he is also very active in the ongoing campaign to save Longstone Edge in the Peak District from continued quarrying.

Henry is also a member of the BMC Access, Conservation & Environment Group as well as being a trustee of the Access & Conservation Trust (ACT). Henry is a long-standing member of the Ceunant Mountaineering Club and the Climbers’ Club and has supported and encouraged many young climbers into the sport over the years. He was made an Honorary Member of the BMC in 2004.

Dave Turnbull, BMC CEO said: “Henry is one of the most valuable volunteers serving the climbing, hill walking and mountaineering community – and that’s saying something as the BMC has hundreds of volunteers throughout England and Wales. He has made, and continues to make, a very significant and unique contribution to the BMC’s work for which we are extremely grateful.

“Henry is highly regarded by those within the climbing community as well as all of the major land management and conservation bodies with interests in the Peak District, including the Peak District NPA, Natural England, the National Trust, the CPRE and the RSPB.”

The Torch Trophy Trust is a charitable organisation, whose main aim is to encourage voluntary work in sport and other related outdoor activities within local communities. The Trust was founded in 1962 by the organiser of the 1948 Olympic Torch Relay from Olympia in Greece to Wembley in London - the late Commander Bill Collins RN Retd.

Previous recipients of the award from the climbing community include Bill Ruthven and Bob Moulton.  For anyone inspired to follow in Henry's footsteps please get in touch with BMC's Volunteers Officer.

You can read articles by Henry in his regular column in Summit magazine.

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