Local man receives top award from national charity

Peter received the Oak Award for ‘Most Outstanding Support’ at the charity’s annual volunteer conference held in Leeds.

And, putting Northern Ireland firmly on the map, Peter was also named the Woodland Trust’s ‘Overall Volunteer of the Year 2014’ and was presented with the Watkins memorial medal.  Peter is the first person ever in Northern Ireland to win this UK award.

The awards were presented by Chief Executive of the Woodland Trust Beccy Speight and Woodland Trust President Clive Anderson.

Peter has been involved in several roles at the Woodland Trust, including photographer, researcher, speaker and ancient tree hunter.  Having volunteered for over seven years, he has worked with a wide range of groups and individuals, including corporate partners and landowners – and even crafted a wooden bowl for HRH The Princess Royal.

Patrick Cregg, director of the Woodland Trust in Northern Ireland, said: “Peter is an enthusiastic, talented and dedicated volunteer, who is highly thought of by each and every member of the team. It’s an honour to know and work with Peter, and I’m so glad that he has received the recognition he deserves.”

Lynn Thompson, Volunteering Development Champion, said: “The Woodland Trust is incredibly lucky to have the support of volunteers around the UK. Their continuous and unrelenting efforts go a long way in achieving our goals of creating, protecting and restoring native woodland, and the Volunteer of the Year award is one way we can show all of our volunteers that we really value their outstanding effort. We couldn't do it without them."

Each year the Woodland Trust gives awards to the most outstanding volunteers for their talent and dedication. Winners are selected from nearly 2,000 volunteers all over the UK, who in 2013 dedicated over 140,000 hours of their time.

To find out how you can get involved as a volunteer visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/volunteer