Volunteer rangers win

Peak District National Park volunteer rangers won two out of three awards in the 2013 UK National Parks Volunteer Awards.

The annual awards recognise people’s efforts over and above those normally expected of volunteers that have helped make national parks better places. They are organised by National Parks UK supported by Merrell, Natural Resources Wales and Natural England.

Dr Chamu Kuppuswamy, Peak District National Park, who won outdoor kit from Merrell after being named UK Volunteer of the year.

Dr Kuppuswamy, a law lecturer at Sheffield University, qualified as a Peak District National Park Authority volunteer ranger in 2012.

She won UK Volunteer of the Year for championing the national park to ethnic minority communities and using social media to raise awareness of the connection between local issues and global environmental challenges.

She said: “I have an amazing time whenever I am volunteering in the Peak District National Park and I am absolutely thrilled to be awarded for that.

“I think it is important to introduce people to what national parks can offer and get everyone thinking about our response to environmental challenges – it’s the best way to keep these places special.”

Peak District National Park volunteer rangers won Volunteer Group of the Year for their dedication and commitment to community and environmental work, in particular for the guided walks they provide for people with physical and mental health problems.

The walks are thoroughly researched by the volunteers and enrich their and others’ understanding of the Peak District.

The group has provided the walks for more than 20 years.