National outdoor expo AWards

Alex has overcome and continues to overcome a lot of adversity, whilst at the same time being determined to help others. He sets himself big challenges all in aid of raising money for the fantastic mental health charity he founded – Mind Over Mountains. Alex is one himself who will admit at times he is struggling, yet he continues to push himself so that others can benefit from the positive benefits of being outdoors through Mind Over Mountains.

Refusing to let the word ‘disability’ define who he is as a person, and committed to helping challenge the perception of what those with a disability can achieve, Darren has gone on to lead a series of record-breaking expeditions, including ‘Kayak 4 Heroes’, which saw him lead a team of five injured/wounded veterans in kayaking 1,400 kilometres from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’ Groats in Scotland.

Perhaps better known as Fell Foodie, Harrison is an outdoor cook, author and advocate for getting outside for wellbeing. His life was very different just some short years ago. Struggling with clinical depression since adolescence, Harrison’s life spiralled out of control. He became an alcoholic and ballooned in weight to 22 stone. A major life change in 2016 saved him and he now regularly shares his story in provide hope to others

Makala Jones, a member of The Bluetits Chill Swimmers cold water swimming organisation, completed her charity swim of the English Channel in just 16 hours 25 minutes. The swim has enabled her to raise over £8000, with funds going The Bluetits’ water safety training programme and to Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

Mat volunteers tirelessly for The Scouts. Over recent years he has worked in many groups and teams to help enhance the reputation of the organisation. At the age of 31 he is one of the youngest Lead Volunteers in the UK and continues to lead by example. He is constantly arranging for events to be held to enhance the lives of young people in Solihull and across the UK. He fervently believes that Scouting is about delivering for today’s youth and will do anything in his power to achieve this.

Nadia Weigh is the Community Lead for Adventure Queens, a non-profit organisation that aims to delicately smash down barriers that stop women being active outdoors. In the last year she has propelled the community forward, doing more for the community than has ever been done before in a year. She has organised 3 Hills Skills programs to support 3 different groups of marginalised women to get into the outdoors; Refugee Women, Domestic Abuse Survivors and Women returning to the outdoors after injury or long term health condition. She has also spoken at the Adventure Mind Conference in a panel discussing Community Groups in the outdoors.

Shameer is committed to defining the benefits of adventure and its impact on his life. His freedom and spontaneity were taken away when a family member became debilitated. Yet, amidst the trials and tribulations, the great outdoors has been his saving grace while inspiring others on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth through nature

A community group that has inspired marginalised people into the outdoors. They have encouraged many Black women from cities to embrace the outdoors, many for the first time, and also created much needed networks for black women in rural areas where minorities are isolated from the same sense of community that exists in city neighbourhoods. It has brought different types of people together to learn from each other and is branching out beyond hiking to embrace the outdoors and adventure in it’s entirety. Creating safe spaces for Black women to come together in the UK and beyond.

The Bluetits is a worldwide community of people who came together and formed friendships and local communities. We are a not-for-profit organisation, all the profits we make from online sales, holidays and challenges go back into funding our community.

The Bluetits is, and always will be, free for anyone and everyone to join in.

Bushscout.UK is a National Scout Active Support Unit for The Scouts. Members are volunteers in Scouting, many hold other scouting volunteer roles too and come from all over the UK. The one thing they have in common, other than Scouting of course, is a passion for teaching traditional and practical Scouting skills to other Scout Leaders. Since forming nationally, almost 5 years ago, over 1000 leaders have been enthused and inspired by Bushscout to spread a love of practical skills outdoors

Hiking Buddies UK is the ultimate hiking community for outdoor enthusiasts like you.

Dive into a world of exciting member-led events happening all over the #UK – from breathtaking #hikes to laid-back socials. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or just starting, our diverse range of events caters to all fitness levels.

Muslim Hikers is the largest community in the world for Muslims interested in the outdoors. Their extensive monthly hiking event programme is recognized to be the largest known regular walking events in the Country; promoting safety, confidence and awareness of the outdoors.

Outdoor Adventure Girls is a female adventure community providing safe and inclusive environments for women to reconnect with nature, the outdoors, and each other, through our trips. We are passionate about mental health and the burden women carry throughout life, giving them the time to recharge, reset, and become their authentic selves.

Every week we give almost half a million people aged 4-25 the skills they need for school, college, university, the job interview, the important speech, the tricky challenge and the big dreams: the skills they need for life. We’re the dream builders, the future makers, and the inspirers, helping create closer communities and build a stronger society.

With nearly 50 years of experience, our mission remains to help you enjoy the outdoors.

Every piece of advice and kit recommendation is rooted in personal experience – countless walks, daring climbs and stories shared around campfires. We’ve explored new trails, pursued the first light of day and braved the elements.

Decathlon is a family-owned company, founded in 1976, and inspired by the belief that the best sports products should be accessible to everyone. Ever-evolving and high performance design, the best quality at the lowest possible price, and expert advice that customers of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels can access in-store or online, from anywhere, at any time, is what makes us who we are. And we’re pretty proud of that.

Our aim is to help our customers make the right investments in outdoor gear. Whether they are searching for scrambles in one of the many National Parks, speeding down fresh Alpine slopes or picking their way to the top of a frozen mountainside, our expert advice will ensure they get the best kit for them, for all of their adventures.

We passionately believe in the positive benefits of the outdoors. Whether that be the daily dog walk or hiking Ben Nevis, horse riding or cold water therapy, we provide the best equipment for all outdoor activities, always at the best price guaranteed!

Valley and Peak is a family-run online retailer of tried and tested specialist outdoor gear for backpackers, hikers, campers, and thru-hikers. We pride ourselves on stocking top quality products, having excellent customer service and product knowledge.

Get changed and stay warm with the dryrobe® Advance, the original outdoor changing robe. The long-sleeved design offers extra protection against the elements.

Elevate your coffee experience with the GOPRESSO Pro, the epitome of convenience and quality in the world of portable coffee machines. Crafted to cater to coffee lovers, this innovative device redefines what it means to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee anytime, anywhere. Whether you use pods or ground coffee, cold or hot water, the GOPRESSO Pro does it all, making a coffee on the go has never been easier!

Since INOV8 launched the TRAILFLY G 270 V2 12 months ago, the shoes have won multiple big accolades, including BEST TRAIL SHOE in the Runner’s World UK Gear of the Year Awards. The award-winning, fast-feel, zero-drop trail running shoe has been on the feet of multiple big race winners, including those of Jack Scott when smashing the 268-mile Spine Race record by 10 hours.

The EF collection adds new sizing to core packs, providing people in larger bodies the same uncompromised performance with an inclusive fit. Find joy in the movement.

We didn’t invent fire, we defeated smoke. With our Ranger 2.0 you can easily light up a smokeless fire anywhere life takes you.

Our Signature 360° Airflow super-heats air to burn off smoke before it can get to your clothes and hair. And without that pesky “post-fire” smell, teary eyes, you can enjoy ultimate warmth without sacrificing comfort.

Escape the ordinary, experience the awesome and try something new at The Bear Grylls Adventure, located at Birmingham’s NEC. No matter which experience you choose, your Adventure Guides will inspire you, encourage you and support you through each step of your journey so you can push your limits and reach new achievements with each experience.

The natural beauty of Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door on Dorset’s coast is unparalleled in terms of geological diversity, giving it incredible opportunities for adventure. The sheltered cove means beginner paddleboarders, veteran wild swimmers or kids exploring rock pools all have opportunities to enter the serene waters. Once outside of the Cove, a host of adventures await; Sea kayakers paddle in open water, hugging the coast whilst observing wildlife and fossils set in the limestone cliffs. Every part is slightly different with caves, arches, small islands making for a multitude of conditions available.

Mendip Activity Centre has grown into the biggest and most reputable outdoor activity provider in the South West. Our unrivalled success is largely due to the reputation and experience of our instructors – who we believe are the best in the business. 

Newlands Adventure Centre & Keswick Climbing Wall is the oldest established Residential Activity Centre in the UK. We have been providing outdoor activities for over 115 Years! From Ghyll Scrambling to Rock Climbing, Kayaking to Zip Lining, we really do have a wide variety of awesome activities for yourself, your friends & family to enjoy!

Its mission is to unlock previously inaccessible private land & grow an awe-inspiring network of Wild Spaces for camping & adventure. Sustainability is a primary pillar, requesting that members Leave No Trace & respect the Spaces they visit; in Aug23 CampWild launched Leave It Better Week to take this a step further. To monitor the use & condition of Wild Spaces CampWild developed an innovative platform that uses a unique Snap-In Snap-Out system so members photograph when they setup & leave camp; protection of Wild Spaces is paramount.

We work with the Outdoor brands to help stop excess stock, damaged product, or development samples, from going to landfill, with all profits going to outdoor charities.

In a major change to how their maps are packaged and presented, the use and provision of plastic map sleeves will cease from 1st February 2024. Instead, waterproof maps will now be displayed in retail stores in fully recyclable, non-laminated, cardboard map sleeves. HARVEY maps bought from other online retailers should also be delivered in the new sleeves as the change from plastic is adopted throughout 2024. Maps bought from the HARVEY Maps website will continue to be sent without a sleeve of any kind.

By making this change, HARVEY Maps will prevent nearly 1 tonne of plastic each year from entering the economy.

Rab have introduced Material Facts tables for their whole apparel range and sleeping bags. These tables are similar to the nutritional labels found on food products, giving consumers information such as;

Total recycled materials by weight, followed by a detailed breakdown of the recycled content in the fabrics, insulation, zips, and trims,

The fluorocarbon content by fabrics, insulation, zips, and trims,

Country of manufacturer.

VOOM Nutrition now distributes all bulk packs of drinks in compostable pouches. The vast majority of sports nutrition brands still pack their bulk drinks into single-use plastic pouches or worse still plastic tubs. This initiative from VOOM is helping reduce single-use plastics and minimising carbon footprint.

Bushscout.UK is a National Scout Active Support Unit for The Scouts. Members are volunteers in Scouting, many hold other scouting volunteer roles too and come from all over the UK. The one thing they have in common, other than Scouting of course, is a passion for teaching traditional and practical Scouting skills to other Scout Leaders. Since forming nationally, almost 5 years ago, over 1000 leaders have been enthused and inspired by Bushscout to spread a love of practical skills outdoors.

Girls on Hills empower women with the skills and confidence necessary to become independent in the mountain environment. Mountain skills and safety courses, designed ‘for women by women’ cater for all abilities, with a focus on inclusivity (taking place across the Scottish Highlands, Lake District and Snowdonia, as well as online). The company advocates for equity in mountain sports, challenging cultural norms that underpin the gender gap in participation. 

Girls on Hills is more than just guiding, it’s a movement geared towards helping women realize their potential and embrace the health and wellbeing benefits of time spent outdoors.

Mountain Rescue isn’t a training organisation – although teams invest a huge amount of time in training for their service – but it also has a role in working with partners to spread safety messages and educate everyone who enjoys the outdoors about how to keep safe and #Be Adventure Smart. Even if you’re not thinking of joining a team as a volunteer, there are any number of other ways you can contribute: fundraising or helping organise events, offering your professional skills, cooking bacon butties during a shout… even washing down team vehicles. Even an hour or two a week can be useful and many teams have supporters groups that make a big difference

For young people, teachers, group leaders and parents, PGL is the UK’s leading outdoor education provider, delivering inspirational learning through adventure.

We specialise in educational activity courses, residential school trips, French Language courses, children’s activity holidays, summer camps and secondary school ski trips, with centres in the UK and France.

Accessible, welcoming and inclusive part of The Scout association training and inspiring Scout Volunteers with the skills to get the young people doing challenging outdoor activities safely with lots of fun. Not just for hearty outdoor types, participants come from all backgrounds and leave confident to take their new skills back to the young people (from age 4).

Over the last 12 months Adventure Queens has run three programmes to support marginalised woman getting into the outdoors; A Hills Skills Programme in conjunction with a Domestic Abuse Charity, a Hills Skills Programme for Refugee Women and a Getting into Hiking Programme aimed at women who felt unable to join existing community walks due to low fitness and/or long term health conditions or injury.

We are here to empower young people; to support them as they learn new skills, overcome obstacles, and build confidence and resilience.

Jordan Wylie is an extreme adventurer and bestselling author who is also one of the stars of Channel 4’s Hunted and Celebrity Hunted. He has ran through the most dangerous countries in the world, raising hundreds of thousands for charity and has even taken on incredible challenges like climbing Kilimanjaro barefoot.

The former soldier, who is also the UK national ambassador for Army Cadets, ran 15 marathons in 15 days in the 15 National Parks of the United Kingdom in 2019 to promote getting outside and running for better mental health.

The Alpine Run Project is an initiative founded by Nike Athlete, John McAvoy with the support of Youth Beyond Borders to bring it to life. ARP aims to introduce inner-City young people to the trails, mountains and generally nature by the way of trail running. The first year of the Alpine Run Project saw YBB train and mentor 12 young people to compete at the UTMB in Chamonix. This year, we are aiming to recruit 100 young people from all around the UK, 15 of who will be going to the Alps for the UTMB this year but all of them will have access to trail races around the UK.

As a plus size woman, Rebecca Dawson, founder of Vampire Outdoors knew that having technical outdoor clothing that properly fits your larger body makes a huge difference to your outdoors experience. That’s why in 2023 Vampire Outdoors committed to bringing innovative, high quality plus size gear to UK adventurers, taking a risk to serve a community that most outdoor retailers ignore. The online store now stocks women’s sizes 16-30 and Men’s 1XL-9XL in technical outdoor clothing and plus size/extended-fit backpacks. Personal sizing advice adds to the service provided, making it easier for plus size people to find what they need for their next adventure.

The Adventure Diaries Podcast invites you into a world of incredible conversations with truly remarkable adventurers, explorers, conservationists, content creators and those curious about our natural world.

From stories of micro adventurers to grand polar explorations, extreme world firsts, record breaking athletes and front line conservationists.

I’m dedicated to helping Scout Leaders in England become exceptional Leaders. My channel offers valuable resources, advice, and inspiration to enhance your skills and create unforgettable camping experiences for your Scouts. I try to provide practical tips, scout game ideas, and camping tricks tailored specifically for Scout Leaders. Led by an experienced Scout Leader with accolades such as the Medal of Merit and chief commendation, we bring first-hand knowledge and expertise to guide you. 

For more than 230 years, OS has helped people explore Great Britain. Today, more than ever, we are committed to inspiring everyone to explore new places, make new adventures and create lasting memories, so that they can live longer, stay younger and enjoy life more. We smile more when we’re outdoors, so let’s all #GetOutside!

Love Her Wild is a UK-based non-profit women’s adventure community. We believe outdoor adventures boost well-being, increase confidence and help protect our planet through better connections to nature. Love Her Wild is an inclusive community providing opportunities, support and funding to make the outdoors more accessible. We’ve taken thousands of women on adventures from first-time mountain hikes to world-first overseas expeditions!

Podcasts and Live Stream Videos to inform, inspire, entertain and encourage people to enjoy a healthy outdoors lifestyle.

Many people are willing to donate their adventure gear, much of which is considered surplus to their requirements. Many people on a low income cannot afford to buy the gear they need to enable them to get out into our beautiful countryside safely and comfortably. Kitsquad simply operates as a platform where donated kit can be collected and then gifted to low-income individuals.

Mind Over Mountains are a mental health charity offering immediate and accessible support through therapeutic outdoor experiences. Their events run throughout the UK, with bursaries available to those with the most challenging lives. Ranging from one day to 2-night stays, their programmes bring together professionally guided hill-walking, mindfulness and time in the company of experienced coaches and counsellors.

RLSS UK has a proud history of helping to reducing the number of lives lost to drowning. Our mission is to be the leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Sharing, our expertise and knowledge with as many people as possible, giving everyone the potential to save lives and enjoy water, safely.

The Ramblers is a charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces and to preserving and improving hundreds of thousands of miles of well-loved paths, tracks and trails across England, Scotland, and Wales. We’re committed to campaigning to keep our countryside open to all and to fighting for the things that matter most to walkers.  

The Outdoor Guide Foundation has a simple aim; to make the outdoors more accessible for all – particularly children. For schools planning or wanting to set up an outdoor learning space or simply get kids outside in all weathers, they should first consider the need for proper clothing – waterproofs and wellies. Our goal is get 10 sets of wellies and waterproofs to every state primary schools in the UK, all 20,000 of them!

The Youth Adventure Trust uses the outdoors as a platform to help vulnerable 11-15 year olds build resilience, develop confidence and learn skills to help them face the challenges in their lives. Their long-term programmes combine regular outdoor activity days and residential camps with one-to-one support to help the young people realise they can achieve more than they think they can and enable them to reach their full potential.