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