Dr Chamu Kuppuswamy

A university law lecturer has been named volunteer of the year for her work championing the Peak District to ethnic minorities.

Dr Chamu Kuppuswamy, who teaches at Sheffield University, won the UK National Parks Volunteer Award which recognises efforts over and above those normally expected of volunteers.

Dr Kuppuswamy gained the accolade also for her work using social media to raise awareness of the connection between local issues and global environmental challenges. She qualified as a Peak District National Park Authority volunteer ranger in 2012.

The lecturer will receive outdoor gear from Merrell, a brand partner of organisers National Parks UK.

Dr Kuppuswamy said: “I have an amazing time whenever I am volunteering in the Peak District national park and I am absolutely thrilled to be awarded for that.

“I think it is important to introduce people to what national parks can offer and get everyone thinking about our response to environmental challenges; it’s the best way to keep these places special.”

Peak District volunteers with walkers

Peak District national park volunteer rangers won the second category of three in the awards, picking up the prize for volunteer group of the year for their dedication and commitment to community and environmental work, in particular for the guided walks they provide for people with physical and mental health problems.

The walks are researched by the volunteers and enrich their and others’ understanding of the Peak District. They have provided the walks for more than 20 years.

Councillor Tony Favell, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority said: “It is absolutely wonderful for our volunteer rangers’ endeavours to be recognised in this way.

“These are ordinary people who make an extraordinary contribution to national park purposes. They turn out throughout the year, in their own time, in all weathers to work in many different ways to help make the national park special for everyone.”

The group won £1,000 towards future volunteering projects.

TV walking personality Julia Bradbury, one of the judges, said: “Volunteers are a great source of pride across the national parks. The breadth of dedication and altruism all the volunteers offer across the country is inspirational.”

The Woollenlines project is helping to restore a damaged peat area

The third award went to A Woollen Line, a conservation project in the Brecon Beacons.

The scheme, by artist Pip Woolf, uses lines of wool to protect peat from erosion. Nets are also stuffed with low-grade wool and placed in channels.

Brecon Beacons national park, won £1,000 towards future work.

A Woollen Line had previously won a £2,000 prize in the Park Protector Awards, organised by the Campaign for National Parks.