March

Nominations in March started off a little slow and then finished with a mad rush at the end of the month! After convening our panel of experts we can now announce...

March's Leader of the Month is:

Graham Little

"I specialise as a communicator for the Deaf, and after taking a deaf child away on a residential week in the Lake District, found the love of the outdoors and climbing.

Graham and I then took some other deaf children on a residential trip that we decided to organise ourselves. Through these opportunities Graham has been a huge inspiration to me in encouraging me to pursue something I could never have dreamed of doing. I am now in training for my CWA (Climbing Wall Award) in May.

Graham has dedicated so much of his spare time and effort, ensuring that I am fully prepared for my course by taking me to different climbing walls and filling me with all the knowledge, enthusiasm and confidence I need to succeed in this new venture.

He has a real passion for climbing and without Graham, I would never have realised I could achieve these new goals and follow a new career path.

Graham is a truly inspirational colleague and now a dear friend."

Graham holds the Climbing Wall Award, Single Pitch Award and recently passed his Foundation Coach assessment. He works as an outdoor education instructor in a school in Blackpool. He was nominated by Karen Martin.

Special mention also goes to...

Neil Mackay

"Neil has just passed the BMG Scottish Winter Assessment - first time round! He has dedicated most of his life working towards becoming a guide, following in the footsteps of his Father, Mac Mackay. The passion and complete commitment to the Guides is infectious - he has been a great influence to myself and is currently assisting me with my Doctoral study which focuses on using design to increase female participation with in the adventure sport industry in rural Scotland.

Neil set up SkiAscent a little while ago to offer a guiding and instruction service - it's definitely still a work in progress, but for him it's more important that people get to enjoy the mountains than to make any money out of it. This year he is supporting a new Scottish-based charity called Yogability - they were established in 2013, and provide free-of-charge yoga therapy to young people with disabilities and their carers. Neil is taking part in their 1000-mile walking challenge - he's probably completed most of his miles already! He aims to use the challenge to raise awareness and much needed funds for Yogability, so they can continue their great work."

Neil Mackay is a Mountain Leader and also holds the Single Pitch Award. He is currently a trainee BMG Guide and was nominated by Sarah Morton.


Each month's winner will receive a year's free membership of the Mountain Training Association and a Sherpa technical fleece.

To nominate someone for Leader of the Month, email nicola@mountain-training.org and explain, in 200 words or less, why you think they deserve to win. 'Leaders' can be anyone with a Mountain Training award.