BMC Volunteer Awards
The BMC Awards acknowledge the hard work and commitment that goes into making our community great. Whether it’s a dedicated volunteer, an innovative club lead, an exceptional athlete, or a ground-breaking initiative, we shine a spotlight on those who elevate hill walking, climbing and mountaineering in the UK.
The BMC Volunteer Awards are currently closed for nominations.
Explore the Awards
The BMC Volunteer Awards are a chance to celebrate and recognise outstanding efforts across hill walking, climbing and mountaineering over the past 12 months. There are four awards up for grabs and we welcome nominations from everyone in our community.
BMC members can nominate volunteers and community members for an award. Nominations will be reviewed by The BMC Awards and Honours Panel with the awards being presented at the BMC Annual General Meeting.
The Awards and their winners
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
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
2023 | Rose Gare-Simmons and Jay Jackson
2022 | Mohammed Dhalech
2021 | Graeme Hill
2021 | Andrew Higson
2019 | Molly-Thompson-Smith
2018 | Kamala Sen
The Young Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 2018 and recognises those young people (under 27 years of age) who have made a significant voluntary contribution and commitment to the BMC, thereby acting as role models to other young people, to encourage volunteering in the BMC.
Young Volunteer of the Year Award Winners
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
2023 | Steve Charles
2022 | Ken Taylor
2022 | Barbara Jones
2021 | Alun Huyton
2021 | Bob Moulton
2020 | Ron Kenyon
2020 | Peter Judd
2019 | Fiona Sanders
2019 | Andy Newton
2018 | Dav Musgrove
2017 | Ian Smith
2017 | Lynn Robinson
2016 | Ben Lyon
2015 | Robert Pettigrew MBE
2014 | John Innerdale MBE
2013 | Mark Alderson
2013 | Gordon Alderson
2012 | Henry Folkard
2012 | David Bishop
2011 | George Steele
2011 | Neville McMillan