Our ambassador team

Adventure and sustainability ambassador 

Freya Hodson

Freya is a keen lover of the outdoors, a hiker and a wild swimmer who has lived in Cumbria for over three years. Working part-time for the Keswick Tourism Association

Respect

Freya is passionate about encouraging others to enjoy the natural world in a respectful and safe manner.

Independent exploration

She advocates for independent exploration, urging people to do their own research to ensure safety and protect the environment

Leave no trace

"leave no trace" principles and the use of sustainable transport,

Adventure ambassador

Tom Smith

Tom is a dedicated Mountain Leader and passionate advocate for the Lake District. He’s spent years guiding adventurers through beautiful landscapes, from the iconic peaks to lush green valleys. His goal is to share his deep love for this extraordinary region by helping others experience its natural beauty,

Protecting

He is committed to preserving and promoting the Lake District

Community

He works closely with local communities and conservation efforts such as Fix the Fells.

Sharing

He loves sharing wild spaces with people who wouldn't normally access them.

Adventure and accessibility ambassador

Melissa Grace

Melissa has a rare Genetic condition called Angelman Syndrome (AS). She has challenges with her mobility and balance. Despite this, she challenges herself every day and is an amazing advocate for accessibility.

Loves the Lakes

Melissa loves the Lake District

Awarness

She raises awareness of AS through her treks and wheelchair adventures around the country

Fundraiser

Melissa raised money for the Lake District foundation

Outdoor ambassador

Thao Nunns

Thao is a devoted mother of two, who is passionate about instilling a love for nature into her children, as well as the wider community where she lives in the Lakes.

Wonderful Wild Women

Thao helps run Wonderful Wild Women,

Education and advocacy

With a focus on education and advocacy, Thao hopes to inspire people to protect the area and the environment.

'Weekday Wander' group

Thao set-up her "Weekday Wander" group, which aims to empower individuals to explore the Lake District

Sports ambassador

Hector Pardoe

Hector is a Team GB Olympic Open Water Swimmer, competing over 10km and 25km distances. In September 2023, Hector set the World Record for swimming the length of Windermere. 

Team GB Olympian

Hector is a Team GB Olympic Open Water Swimmer.

Competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic games
Cleaner waters

Hector uses his platform to elevate awareness of the need for cleaner waterways, and to encourage outdoor swimming in safe, natural settings.

Adventure and ecology ambassador

Dr Kate Rawles

A former lecturer in environmental philosophy, Kate is passionate about using adventurous journeys to raise awareness and inspire action on our major environmental challenges

Author of 'The Life Cycle"

The Life Cycle: Colombia to Cape Horn by bamboo bike, exploring biodiversity loss.

Outdoor philosophy

Kate set up Outdoor Philosophy to explore big questions about human/nature relations in nature rather than lecture theatres.

Lover of the fells

Kate lives locally and loves exploring the Lake District

Adventure and wellbeing ambassador

Harrison Ward

Harrison Ward, also known as the Fell Foodie, is a proud Cumbrian who has turned the mountainous landscape he calls home into his kitchen. He speaks publicly about his battle with alcoholism, depression and obesity.

Author

Harrison’s debut recipe book ‘Cook Out’

Wellbeing

Mental health speaker and TV personality.

Fell cooking and public speaking

He can often be found creating delicious, restaurant style meals on minimal camping equipment in the hills.

Culture and heritage ambassador

Polly Atkin

Polly is a poet and nonfiction writer whose work focuses on place, nature and disability, advocating for combining disability justice with environmental justice. She is passionate about shifting the conversation from what nature can do for us, to what we can do for nature; about improving accessibility and caring for our special places and all their inhabitants.

Doctorate on Romantic Legacies

She moved to Cumbria in the mid-noughties to research a doctorate on Romantic legacies

Wild swimmer

Polly is a year-round outdoor swimmer

Dark sky activist

she is particularly aware of the need for urgent action on water pollution and light pollution