Wildlife Ambassador Short Listed for Green Award

Wildlife Ambassador Graham Patton is a finalist in the Evening Telegraphs Green Awards for Green Volunteer of the Year, after completing over 180 hours on Froglife’s Wildlife Ambassador project in just 6 months. The ceremony is on Monday 4th July at the Marriot Hotel in Peterborough and we’ve all got our fingers crossed!

Graham meets a newt

Graham is an incredible young man – he has spent many years as a young carer, and overcome depression and a period of homelessness to now work as a care assistant. Graham became involved with Froglife through the Lincoln Road NHS Drop-in Centre where he was a volunteer. A bright, enthusiastic person, he joined the first group of Wildlife Ambassadors for training at the beginning of the year, and has since stayed on. He also undertook Great crested newt training on Hampton Nature Reserve and video training to enable him to help in a variety of roles. Graham is so dedicated to Froglife he even dressed up like a giant toad for our exhibition at the Peterborough Green Festival!

“I’m so proud of all the great work Graham has done on the project; he is an amazing Ambassador for Froglife and for wildlife generally, and is now an intrinsic part of the team,” says Laura Brady, Project Officer. “It’s been amazing to see his progression in such a short time. Graham’s self-belief has grown throughout and he is now helping so many other people, not only other Wildlife Ambassadors but also in his new job as a carer.”

The Wildilfe Ambassadors project is funded by Access to Nature, and aims to give new opportunities and experiences to people going through difficult times, such as periods out of employment or training.

“I’m over the moon to be nominated for this award,” said Graham when he found out he was a finalist. “I’ve loved everything I’ve done with Wildlife Ambassadors so much, I’ve learnt loads about reptiles and amphibians and made tons of friends. Without the project and my volunteering experience I wouldn’t have got my new job. I’m on cloud nine right now after receiving a promotion at work as well!”

Everyone here at Froglife has their fingers crossed for Graham at the awards tonight and would like to thank him for all his hard work and dedication to the project.

You can find out more about Froglife's Wildlife Ambassador project

• By contacting Laura Brady, Project Officer on 01733 425828 or laura.brady@froglife.org
• By visiting our website www.froglife.org/ambassadors
• By finding our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/froglifewa

You can support our work conserving reptiles and amphibians like toads for as little as £1.50 a month. Sign up as a Froglife Friend and help save species and habitats here.

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Photo by Jodie Coomber