Our annual Awards represent a unique opportunity: for the hillwalking public to recognise the people, organisations and brands that deserve to be recognised. Here’s how you can get involved.
There’s nothing quite like the TGO Awards. While the Gear Awards are judged by our panel of experts, the Reader Awards are just that – nominated and voted by you, our readers. In fact, they’re by far the UK’s biggest outdoor public-voted awards. We think that’s something to be proud of, and it’s certainly worth getting involved.
In 2017, thousands of people voted in categories such as Campaign/Campaigner of the Year, Personality of the Year, and the new Extra Mile Award (which returns in 2018). These categories are about recognising people and organisations that make a real difference, whether that be for the environment, for our own experience in the mountains, or just for being an inspiration. Outdoor Book of the Year is also a favourite and always hotly contested.
“The TGO Awards aren’t just about gear and brands – they’re about real people too, giving something back to those who have brightened our outdoor lives”
We know that brands, retailers, pubs and cafés make a huge difference to our experience of the outdoors too, which is why these categories all return in 2018, alongside new categories Hotel or Bunkhouse of the Year and Campsite of the Year.
Another new category we’ve added is Walkers’ App of the Year, because technology is playing more of a role in our outdoor lives, yet the pace of innovation is rapid and information about reliable and quality apps can be harder to find. We’re excited to discover which apps you’ve been enjoying in the mountains this year.
The TGO Awards aren’t just about gear and brands – they’re about real people too, giving something back to those who have brightened our outdoor lives in some way. In 2017, when we asked legendary fellrunner Nicky Spinks what it meant for her to win Personality of the Year, she said: “I’m honoured, although slightly surprised, as I’m not as well known as many of the other nominees. I do try to give something back to the outdoor community though, whether it’s coaching, picking up litter on the hills, giving talks or thanking marshalls and anyone that offers me Jelly Babies on races!” The Extra Mile award was also very interesting – as much for its shortlists as for the winners. Worthy organisations such as the Mountain Bothies Association and Moors for the Future were shortlisted alongside individuals such as Kate Ashbrook (Chief Executive of the Outdoor Spaces Society) and Neil Reid & Neil Findlay (volunteer maintenance organisers for Corrour bothy).
So now it’s time for you to get involved. Head over to our nominations page, and take a few minutes to nominate in any of the categories you like. The more nominations we receive, the more interesting and representative our shortlists will be. Thanks for your contribution.
