The waterways – and canal volunteering – are for everyone. The Canal & River Trust celebrated this by honouring its volunteers in its annual awards scheme, supported by The Marsh Charitable Trust. In an ongoing series, we are featuring all the winners.
THIS month we continue to shine the spotlight on the work of trust volunteers in the North West; in January’s issue, we reported how Barbara Kay was named as the region’s Volunteer of the Year for her dedication to the National Waterways Museum. Barbara’s honour was one of four awards.
The title of Volunteer Team of the Year was awarded to the Walking The Lift team at Anderton Boat Lift. These volunteers offer a captivating guided tour through 150 years of lift history, showcasing the inner workings and rarely seen cogs of the magnificent structure. The team deliver engaging commentary while navigating high walkways, carefully managing visitor safety and comfort, and their deep knowledge and storytelling make the tour both educational and memorable.
Nick Henry was named as Lead Volunteer of the Year. The CRT said: “Nick has been a volunteer for more than four years, demonstrating exceptional skills, leadership, and dedication. He’s gained numerous qualifications and consistently supports the operations team, enabling them to do more.
“His expertise spans practical tasks like hedge laying and habitat management, and he leads groups with charisma and care. Nick’s commitment is evident in his 450-plus hours in 2025 alone, often working in demanding conditions.”
And Hannah Gazey won Young Volunteer of the Year.
She began working at the trust as a university placement student supporting the community development team and chose to continue volunteering, supporting school visits and events with enthusiasm and skill. She has lock demonstrations for primary schools, making them fun and safe, and her initiative, energy, and understanding of safeguarding have reinvigorated the volunteer team.
The Canal & River Trust’s head of volunteering, Christine Mellor, said: “Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our canals.
“We simply couldn’t keep these precious waterways alive and offering so much to boaters, and all those communities they run through, without their passion, energy and commitment.”
