The BMC depends on the support of hundreds of volunteers, and recognises their vital contribution to the work of the BMC through annual awards, for which members can make nominations.

The four awards are:

• The George Band Award 
• The Rehan Siddiqui Award
• The Young Volunteer of the Year Award
• The Lord Greaves Award

The George Band Award

The George Band Award for Exceptional Voluntary Contribution to Mountaineering recognises people who have played a significant role in the BMC’s work over an extended period of time.

The award was established in 2010, and named in honour of former BMC president George Band, who was the youngest member of the 1953 Everest expedition which saw Hillary and Tenzing make the historic first ascent of the world’s highest mountain.

Find out more about the George Band Award

The Rehan Siddiqui Award

The Rehan Siddiqui Award for Exceptional Voluntary Contribution towards promoting Equality and Diversity in the BMC recognises those who have made a significant voluntary contribution to the BMC’s commitment to increasing opportunities for under-represented groups to participate in climbing, hill walking or mountaineering and the work of the BMC.

The award was established in 2018, and named in honour of former chair of the BMC Equity Steering Group Rehan Siddiqui, who was the first member of a minority ethnic community to be elected BMC president.

Find out more about the Rehan Siddiqui Award

The Young Volunteer of the Year Award

The Young Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 2018 and recognises those young people (under 27 years of age) who have made a significant voluntary contribution and commitment to the BMC, thereby acting as role models to other young people, to encourage volunteering in the BMC.

Find out more about the Young Volunteer of the Year Award

The Lord Greaves Award

Following the death of BMC Patron, Lord Tony Greaves in March 2021, President at the time Lynn Robinson proposed a new volunteer award, the Lord Greaves Award for Voluntary Contribution to BMC Access and Conservation work, to recognise volunteers who work tirelessly to promote access to and protection for the countryside we all love.

Find out more about the Lord Greaves Award

How to nominate a BMC volunteer for an award

BMC members can nominate a volunteer for the award. A nomination form is made available on the BMC website towards the end of each year. A small assessment panel led by the BMC President is the awarding body, and the award is presented on the occasion of the BMC Annual General Meeting.

Nominate a volunteer for an award

Find out more about the work that goes on behind the scenes with the BMC specialist committees:

Behind the scenes: access and conservation

Behind the scenes: clubs

Behind the scenes: equity

Behind the scenes: guidebooks

Behind the scenes: huts

Behind the scenes: international mountaineering

Behind the scenes: land management

Behind the scenes: technical equipment

Behind the scenes: training, youth and walls

Find out more about: BMC specialist committees

The winners of the 2021 BMC Volunteer Awards have now been announced! 

READ: 2021 BMC Volunteer Award winners announced

BMC Volunteer survey

We're keen to understand more about BMC volunteers and have put together a survey for all current volunteers, previous volunteers and those who might want to volunteer in future.

Read more and complete the survey here

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