Meet the inspiring, ingenious and energetic bunch of volunteers who are the recipients of this year's RSPB President's Awards.
Our President's Awards go to volunteers who really have gone above and beyond in their support for the RSPB. We only give out six each year, which makes them pretty special — just like the people they recognise.
So, who are the volunteering heroes who received the award at this year's AGM and what fantastic feats have they been up to in their free time?
Fundraising in Wales for almost eight years, Alan Gray and Audrey Parry have raised over £60,000 for the RSPB. They champion our vision of connecting children to nature, they inspire our employees and volunteers, and they keep everyone upbeat. Their enthusiastic dedication to supporting RSPB Cymru financially, practically and socially is astounding.
Alan and Audrey stand out through their desire and ability to turn absolutely anything into support for the RSPB. The more unusual the object, the bigger the challenge — and they are always successful! And it's the same with people. If they spot someone with a talent, they will convince them to use their skills to benefit the RSPB.
It's reassuring to know that people like Alan and Audrey are working tirelessly to help the RSPB meet the challenges ahead.
Brian Nolan's commitment to our cause is breathtaking! His remarkable fundraising has generated more than £30,000 — through pin badges, raffles and quality jam-making, to name but three.
Fundraising is just part of Brian's story though. Volunteering at the Big Nature Festival over 100 miles from home, supporting the local group, organising talks and hosting speakers, engaging with visitors on reserves and carrying out survey work — these are just some of the additional strings to his very varied bow.
Brian is truly incredible because of the sheer amount of time he gives our cause, the variety of support he provides, and his amazing successes in these roles. He gives everything he can and more to the RSPB and is an inspirational ambassador, educator and willing helping hand.
The return of wild choughs has been significant for Cornwall's people, culture and history. Their recovery is a conservation success story. The Chough Watch team has played a vital role in making this happen — by protecting nests from disturbance, keeping the choughs safe and secure, and by acting as chough ambassadors.
It's hard to capture how supportive the community of chough volunteers is. Everyone has their niche. And the end product of this collective effort is success for choughs. As well as providing nest protection, artists have given their work to fundraise, photographers have donated images, joiners have made sturdy equipment... and so it goes on. All have contributed their skills and talents, with individuals adding to the whole.
The Chough Watchers are a fantastic team with a unique and very special bond.
Eleanor Brennan joined our Northern Ireland education team in 2007 as a 'Bird-friendly Schools' volunteer. With her vast experience as a principal of a local primary school, she quickly became an invaluable member of the team.
Her natural ability to engage with all ages meant she was soon involved in many roles, from outreach education activity to community talks.
One of Eleanor's greatest attributes is her willingness to help out with less glamorous tasks — such as street collections, pin box minding and long, hard days supporting our membership team at events. In times of need, Eleanor is our Northern Ireland 'Go-to Girl'. The saying 'If you want something doing, ask a busy person' was made for her.
Despite the fact that Peter Merchant doesn't actually enjoy being on a boat, his love of Havergate has seen him support the wardens to keep the island in top condition! He has been volunteering for 29 years on the Suffolk Coast and has seen Havergate Island change over that time.
Exposed to the North Sea, Peter has known Havergate under the worst conditions — most notably the great storm of 1987 and the tidal surge in December 2013, both of which caused considerable damage. He didn't hesitate to offer his help in tidying, planning, and rebuilding hides and other infrastructure with his team. Peter has been integral to maintaining this iconic island, once home to the return of the avocet in Britain, and enabling visitors to enjoy all that Havergate has to offer.
Peter is a true inspiration to all the volunteers who work with him and a great team leader.
An RSPB volunteer for over 35 years, Roger Kiddie is completely dedicated to wildlife, always committed and a constant ambassador for nature.
Roger inspires countless children and adults to love and understand nature through regular moth trapping demonstrations at events as well as through his monthly bird ringing demonstrations — to which people travel far and wide! Visitors always leave enthused and amazed by Roger's immense passion and knowledge.
Roger helps monitor our Northward Hill reserve and he has also ringed many nightingales at nearby Lodge Hill, which is nationally important for its nightingales but is threatened by the proposed development of 5,000 houses. Evidence from Roger's ringing data has been invaluable in the case we're making to protect this amazing site