A passionate Penrith walker was recognised with a National Ramblers Volunteer Award at the walking charity’s annual General Council meeting this weekend.
Life Member Graham Allan was presented with the Innovation Award by broadcaster, writer and Ramblers President Stuart Maconie at the event in Manchester on Saturday 12 April.
Chair of the Penrith Ramblers for the last 10 years, Graham has been instrumental in leading and guiding the group’s continuous growth in membership and has helped develop a programme of between seven and ten different weekly walks, catering to a range of different abilities and needs.
He also established two gentler ‘Strollers Groups’, for newer and more challenged walkers who want to build up their experience and has devised several special Sunday walks as well as the group’s annual spring weekend break.
His book, ‘Walks in the Penrith Area’ has proved very popular, with a reprint now in prospect from the nearly 2,000 copies sold to date. All the proceeds from the book are donated to the Penrith Ramblers as are those from walks he’s been writing for local tourist establishments.
Graham Allan said: “To be a part of such an enthusiastic and welcoming group of walkers is really quite a privilege. So it almost goes without saying that I have wanted to do my bit in helping the group to grow and continue to flourish. It might seem a no brainer but there’s such a lot of benefit to be gained from encouraging people to simply walk and talk – especially amongst the kind of countryside we have here in Cumbria.”
To find out more about volunteering with the Ramblers visit www.ramblers.org.uk/get-involved.
