Volunteer involvement is key to river restoration success. The River Restoration Centre recognizes unsung contributors through the 'River Champions' award, celebrating individuals who improve rivers for wildlife and people outside their day-to-day job roles. River Champions are nominated by the people they work with. Since 2017, the RRC has accepted nominations annually, recognizing outstanding individuals as River Champions at the UK River Prize Awards Dinner, in association with the Annual Network Conference.
Sam's journey into volunteering began with water quality testing, but her thirst for knowledge quickly became insatiable. She started tracking sewage spills daily and soon found herself fully immersed in all things river-related—devouring literature, seeking guidance from others, attending events like the River Summit, and eagerly signing up for any available training.
Organizing a local ‘Source to Sewage’ walk-and-talk event to raise awareness about river pollution propelled Sam’s involvement to new heights. She founded a local group, ‘Riverlution Evenlode,’ and persistently engaged with her local government and MP. Determined to take action, she sought out contacts within the Environment Agency and Thames Water, collaborating with them to report pollution incidents. Refusing to accept dismissive responses, she pushed back—speaking louder and clearer each time, even to journalists. Her relentless efforts made her a key figure in exposing PFAS contamination in the catchment.
Additionally, she has played a key role in opposing local building applications by proving that the sewage treatment works lack the capacity to support them. Sam also took up riverfly surveying, conducting public demonstrations, and has since earned her advanced riverfly certification.
Sam’s unwavering dedication to rivers, combined with her relentless passion and drive, has earned her the tile of River Champion!
Simon has been volunteering with Hertfordshire's chalk streams for over ten years, sharing his expertise, especially in river invertebrates. Simon’s contributions have been invaluable in supporting the rollout and management of the Herts & Chilterns Riverfly Hub. He has led the expansion of invertebrate monitoring from 1 to 5 rivers in the catchment and has coached local groups, angling clubs and more than 200 individuals in the riverfly methodology. His commitment to monitoring and upskilling volunteers has created a vast network of citizen scientists, monitoring water quality and helping track river restoration recovery, as well as benchmarking sites with the EA.
Simon has also supported the launch of the citizen science pilot (CaSTCO), leading work with the Natural History Museum to provide training in eDNA collection and advanced riverfly, and supporting with mudspotter and outfall safari. Independently Simon has monitored four riverfly sites, organized over 10 environmental education events, and participated in the survey of water voles as part of Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust’s regional conservation initiative. He been involved in the practical management of the River Mimram and has been an active participant in catchment partnerships since their inception in 2012.
His generous contributions, including lending his high-quality equipment (kept in his safari-style truck!), providing AV equipment for the Annual Riverfly Hub Conference, and setting up chalk stream aquariums brimming with life for kids to explore, truly make him a deserving River Champion.
Tony began his volunteer journey as a River Warden in Buckingham before expanding his role to encompass citizen River Habitat Survey for the Upper and Bedford Ouse Catchment Partnership (UBOCP). It quickly became clear that Tony had a knack for working with data! Along with conducting his own surveys for the partnership’s Catchment Restoration Plan, Tony keeps volunteers who enjoy surveying but struggle with technology engaged by entering their survey data and resolving quality issues.
When there's a call for surveyors, Tony is the first to respond, taking on extra surveys and offering to support others. When UBOCP have faced difficulties gaining permission or access to land, Tony has stepped up and taken responsibility - walking reaches, contacting landowners, identifying safe parking areas and alterative survey sites. He has also become a key member of UBOCP’s Data & Evidence Working Group, dedicating time to attend, even when meetings are a considerable distance from him.
Tony thrives on a challenge, is consistently looking for creative technical solutions and is often ahead of the curve in his thinking. He has developed Excel input forms that integrate seamlessly with the citizen RHS software; an Excel 'Catchment Explorer' to help users navigate and interpret complex EA datasets; an expansion to include UBOCP’s own water quality and hydromorphology data; and a Volunteer Portal that enables UBOCP's volunteers to stay updated and recognise the impact of their contribution to river health. Tony has also been instrumental in extracting and converting data for UBOCP’s new 'River Tube Map’.
Tony’s technical expertise, proactive attitude, and his willingness to handle complex, laborious and time-consuming tasks, have saved paid staff significant time. UBOCP have been “blown away” by his generous help. Well done Tony – you are a deserving River Champion!
David has volunteered with Grantham RiverCare for over 10 years, co-leading for at least five. Beyond organising regular clean-ups along the River Witham, he has expanded community involvement, leading water quality testing and balsam removal efforts. Grantham RiverCare contributed to last year’s RRC River Prize finalist entry for the Upper Witham, and they have since been nominated for the 2025 King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
In addition to his full-time job, David always finds time to ensure his volunteers are well-informed, equipped and safe, maintaining meticulous records, and dedicating time to community events. He educates others on local watercourses, demonstrates kick sampling, and co-writes ‘Tales from the Riverbank’ for the local press.
David’s team has tirelessly reported ongoing pollution issues in the River Witham in Wyndham Park, prompting investigations by Anglian Water and the Environment Agency. Following the January floods, David quickly organised volunteers to clear residual debris from affected areas and provided refreshments, earning recognition from councillors and residents alike. His tireless efforts have significantly enhanced the health of the local river and have boosted community engagement.
A passionate advocate for rivers, David captures and shares stunning river photography and is always first to share links to relevant articles and funding opportunities with partners. David consistently goes the extra mile. His enthusiasm and dedication make him a true River Champion!