Ambassadors

Melissa Grace

Adventure and Accessibility Ambassador

Melissa has a rare Genetic condition called Angelman Syndrome (AS). She has challenges with her mobility and balance, has epilepsy and she can’t speak. Despite this, she challenges herself every day and is an amazing advocate for accessibility. Melissa loves the Lake District and is passionate about promoting access to outdoor places and encouraging others to challenge themselves. She raises awareness of AS through her treks and wheelchair adventures around the country. It is important to her that the Lake District is looked after for future generations.

Follow Melissa adventures and challenges on Instagram.

Thao Nunns

Outdoors Ambassador

Thao is a devoted mother of two, who is passionate about instilling a love for nature into her children, as well as the wider community where she lives in the Lakes. Working with Wonderful Wild Women, Thao set-up her “Weekday Wander” group, which aims to empower individuals to explore and cherish the wonders of the Lake District. With a focus on education and advocacy, Thao hopes to inspire people to protect the area and the environment.

Follow Thao’s adventures on Instagram.

Hector Pardoe

Sports Ambassador

Hector is a Team GB Olympic Open Water Swimmer, competing over 10km and 25km distances. In September 2023, Hector set the World Record for swimming the length of Windermere. He will be competing at the Paris Olympics in summer 2024.

A lifelong vegetarian who is passionate about the environment, Hector uses his platform to elevate awareness of the need for cleaner waterways, and to encourage outdoor swimming in safe, natural settings.

Follow Hector’s sporting achievements on Instagram.

Lee Paton

Business Ambassador

Lee Paton is a bespoke couturier who created the first Couture fashion house in Cumbria. Lee is passionate about championing environmental sustainability in the fashion industry.

Lee launched his own fashion house in 2010. The brand’s work has been featured in many British and overseas publications such as Vogue,Tatler and Harper’s Bazaar. Lee’s clients include high-profile individuals from elite sportsmen and sportswomen, well known musicians and actors to the members of several international royal families. 

Find out more at leepaton.co.uk

Dr Kate Rawles

Adventure and Ecology Ambassador

A former lecturer in environmental philosophy, Kate is passionate about using adventurous journeys to raise awareness and inspire action on our major environmental challenges. She has recently returned from The Life Cycle: Colombia to Cape Horn by bamboo bike, exploring biodiversity loss.

Kate set up Outdoor Philosophy to explore big questions about human/nature relations in nature rather than lecture theatres.

Find out more at outdoorphilosophy.co.uk

Harrison Ward

Adventure Ambassador

Harrison Ward, also known as the Fell Foodie, is a proud Cumbrian who has turned the mountainous landscape he calls home into his kitchen. After discovering a passion for hiking in 2016 following a drastic life change, it wasn’t long before a lifetime love of cooking was merged with this new vice.

Harrison’s debut recipe book ‘Cook Out’ will be published by  Vertebrate Publishing on 12th October 2023.

Find out more at fellfoodie.co.uk