BMC Awards
The BMC Awards recognise and acknowledge the hard work and commitment that goes into making our community great. Whether it’s a dedicated volunteer or a ground-breaking initiative, we thank and shine a spotlight on those who elevate hill walking, climbing and mountaineering. Including groups of volunteers doing great work collectively.
In 2026, there are six award categories open for nominations. Including a new prestigious award celebrating inspirational achievements across the BMC’s activities. This award will recognise and celebrate individuals (or groups) who inspire others through their achievements in mountain-related activities across Britain. Allowing the BMC to showcase inspiring role models in the community.
Nominations will be reviewed by the BMC Awards and Honours Panel and recommendations approved by Members’ Council. The awards will be presented at Basecamp on Saturday 12 September.
Explore the 2026 BMC Awards
- NEW: BMC Inspiring Adventure Award a prestigious award, celebrating inspirational achievements across the BMC’s activities across Britain. This award will recognise and celebrate individuals (or groups) who inspire others through their achievements in mountain-related activities across Britain.
- The George Band Award for Exceptional Voluntary Contribution to Mountaineering recognises people who have played a significant role in the BMC’s work over an extended period.
- The Lord Greaves Award for voluntary contribution to BMC Access and Conservation work, recognises those who have worked tirelessly to promote access to and protection for the countryside we all love.
- The Rehan Siddiqui Award for Exceptional Voluntary Contribution towards promoting Equality and Diversity in the BMC recognises those who have made a significant voluntary contribution to the BMC’s commitment to increasing opportunities for under-represented groups to participate in climbing, hill walking or mountaineering and the work of the BMC.
- Jessica Baker Award recognises those young people who have made a significant voluntary contribution to the BMC and its commitment to supporting climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers.
- NEW: Clubs and Communities Award for volunteers who have given great service within a club or other group or community within the broader BMC.
The Awards and their winners
The Inspiring Adventure Award is a prestigious award, celebrating inspirational achievements across the BMC’s activities across Britain. This award will recognise and celebrate individuals (or groups) who inspire others through their achievements in mountain-related activities across Britain. The award was established in 2026 to align with the BMC’s goal of inspiring adventure and showcasing role models in the community
Inspiring Adventures Award Winners
2026 | Lorraine McCall and Jesse and Molly Dufton
The George Band Award for Exceptional Voluntary Contribution to Mountaineering recognises people who have played a significant role in the BMC’s work over an extended period of time.
The award was established in 2010, and named in honour of former BMC president George Band, who was the youngest member of the 1953 Everest expedition which saw Hillary and Tenzing make the historic first ascent of the world’s highest mountain.
George Band Award Winners
2026 | Andy Boorman and Anne Arran
2025 | Mike Rosser
2023 | David Farrell
2022 | Barbara Jones and Ken Taylor
2021 | Alan Huyton and Bob Moulton
2020 | Peter Judd and Ron Kenyon
2019 | Andy Newton and Fiona Sanders
2018 | Dave Musgrove
2017 | Lynn Robinson and Ian Smith
2016 | Ben Lyon
2015 | Robert Pettigrew MBE
2014 | John Innerdale MBE
2013 | Gordon Adshead and Mark Alderson
2012 | Dave Bishop and Henry Folkard
2011 | Neville McMillan and George Steele
The Rehan Siddiqui Award for Exceptional Voluntary Contribution towards promoting Equality and Diversity in the BMC recognises those who have made a significant voluntary contribution to the BMC’s commitment to increasing opportunities for under-represented groups to participate in climbing, hill walking or mountaineering and the work of the BMC.
The award was established in 2018, and named in honour of former chair of the BMC Equity Steering Group Rehan Siddiqui, who was the first member of a minority ethnic community to be elected BMC president.
Rehan Siddiqui Award Winners
2026 | UK Paraclimbing Collective
2024 | Rose Gare-Simmons & Jay Jackson
2023 | Robert Dufton
2022 | Mohammed Dhalech
2021 | Andrew Higson & Graeme Hill
2020 | Jesse Dufton
2019 | Molly-Thompson-Smith
2018 | Kamala Sen
The Young Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 2018 and was re-named in 2025 in Honour of Jessica Baker following her death in 2023, aged 15. The award recognises those young people (under 27 years of age) who have made a significant voluntary contribution and commitment to the BMC and its commitment to supporting climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers, thereby acting as role models to other young people, to encourage volunteering in the BMC.
Jessica Baker Award Winners
2026 | Max Forrest
2025 | Catrin Rose & Ella Brewes
2023 | Agustin Guardiola
2021 | Lewis Perris Williams and Rehna Yaseen
2020 | Kody Bradley
2019 | Ellie Fuller and Stuart McDowell
2018 | Dan Lane and Nina Stirrup
Following the death of BMC Patron, Lord Tony Greaves in March 2021, President at the time Lynn Robinson proposed a new volunteer award, the Lord Greaves Award for Voluntary Contribution to BMC Access and Conservation work, to recognise volunteers who work tirelessly to promote access to and protection for the countryside we all love.
Lord Greaves Award Winners
2026 | Dan Robinson
2025 | Iain Peters
2024 | Steve Charles
2022 | Mick Johnson & Steve Quinton
2021 | Louise Hawson
The Clubs and Communities Award was established in 2026 for volunteers who have given great service within a club or other group or community within the broader BMC.
The Clubs and Communities Award Winners
2026 | Adrian Wilson
Awarded for outstanding contribution to the wider community.
The President's Award Winners
2026 | Gary Gibson
Previous Winner Announcements
Volunteering News
The BMC Award winners have been announced and presented at this weekend's BMC Basecamp Festival. These awards honour individuals whose dedication has strengthened climbing, hillwalking, access and conservation across the UK.
Volunteering News
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) gathered this past weekend for its much-anticipated Basecamp Festival, combining community connection with a celebration of exceptional volunteer contributions.
Volunteering News
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Volunteering News
We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2023 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Volunteering News
Congratulations to our recipients of the 2022 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Volunteering News
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2021 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Volunteering News
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2020 BMC Volunteer Awards.
Volunteering News
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2019 BMC Volunteer Awards.