Last updated 5 June 2024
You can find a list of these and other contacts here.
Chair
Julie Cribb
Based in Inverness and previously chair of North West Grampian local group which she was key in establishing. Set up a new 50 mile event (Laich O’Moray) and is lead organiser for the Speyside 100 to be held in 2024. Introduced Virtual events to the LDWA in 2020.
Vice-Chair
Karen Pickersgill
Joined the LDWA in 2010 - initially for the social walks but soon got addicted to challenge events. Member of the West Yorkshire Group and served as Chair for 3 years. Currently an active member of the West Yorkshire Group’s committee and a willing volunteer on lots of events. Joined the NEC in March 2021 as Local Groups’ Officer - recently moved into the Vice Chair. Being on the NEC is a great opportunity to meet and work with many of the Local Group Officers and our members.
General Secretary
Bill Milbourne
Based on Tyneside and formerly Secretary of Northumbria Group, Lead Organiser for the Durham Dales Challenge and the Hadrian Hundred. From a marathon and fell running background. Came into the LDWA through Challenge Events. Has been a member of the LDWA for over 25 years.
Treasurer
Elaine Oddie
Elaine lives in Essex beside the Thames Estuary. She joined the LDWA in 2007 after enjoying a Challenge Event, and she now assists with registration and checkpointing on Essex & Herts Challenges. Elaine is a Chartered Accountant; she was Treasurer of Essex & Herts Group for 7 years before taking up the role of LDWA Treasurer in March 2024.
Volunteer Coordinator
Vacant
100s Coordinator
Anne Wade
An LDWA member since 1993 and participant in countless Challenge Events. 1st 100 was Dartmoor 1994. Speyside 2024 was 20th! Route Organiser for EBB100. A Coventry Way Challenge Event Organiser. Active member of Heart of England Local Group, volunteering on Challenge Events and leading Social Walks. Background in Biology and Outdoor Education.
Communications and Publicity
Matt Parker
Also known as the Grumpy Runner, Matt has a bad habit of signing up to ultramarathons. He survived a Couch to 60k challenge in 2016 and tried his first LDWA 50-miler the following year. Matt is a freelance content marketer, creative copywriter, book editor and dad with ADHD.
Local Groups Officer
Madeleine Watson
Member of the West Yorkshire Group and an active member of the LDWA for many years. Has had several roles on the NEC in the past including Challenge Events Coordinator and, more recently, General Secretary.
IT and Website
Richard May
Based in Norfolk, and until recently a trustee of the Ramblers, so longer walks are a new challenge. Joined the LDWA in 2020 after helping with marshalling on challenge walks, and enjoying the friendly welcome. Richard runs an IT support business by day, so he is keen to apply his IT skills to the needs of the LDWA to build and launch a new website.
Strider Editor
Gordon Stone
Based in Horwich, Lancashire and active member of East Lancs group since joining in 2007. A very experienced long distance trekker with a background of mountain/fell and cross-country running.
Long Distance Paths Officer
Iain Connell
A member of East Lancashire local group. Has been walking long distance paths, bridleways and footpaths for more than 55 years, a guesstimate of at least 70,000 miles.