Otter rescue volunteer wins BBC award

A teenage volunteer at North Devon charity, the UK Wild Otter Trust is celebrating winning a prestigious national BBC award.

Lily Herniman, now 18, joined the otter rescue charity as a volunteer aged just 15, and is still one of the charity’s youngest volunteers.

She was presented with BBC Countryfile's Young Countryside Champion at the BBC Food & Farming Awards at a ceremony on Titanic Belfast on Wednesday, October 21

Chef and broadcaster Paula McIntyre was head judge, and Countryfile presenter Adam Henson judged the young countryside champion awards.

Lily was nominated for the award by the trust's CEO and founder Dave Webb and his wife, Kath.

Dave said: "Myself and Kath nominated Lily because soon after joining us, it was obvious she was very special. There's no question our 'adopted daughter', as we like to call her, is a worthy winner. There’s no doubt she'll make a huge name for herself in conservation."

Dedicating her time to the volunteer-run charity three-days-a-week, Lily played a key role in transforming and enhancing the wild areas at the new otter rehabilitation centre near South Molton, helping with pond creation, tree planting and habitat improvement projects.

"Lily's work ethic and standards are incredible. As soon as she started with us, she displayed a remarkable amount of knowledge. Lily’s grown into an intelligent, sensible and hardworking member of our team, so naturally, we are incredibly proud of her.”

He threw her in at the ‘deep end’ and she came back more knowledgeable and confident.

Lily said: "I’m absolutely overjoyed to have won the award. I’m very grateful to be nominated by Dave and Kath at the trust, who helped and pushed me to be the person I am today.

"To be in the finals alongside two inspiring young individuals was amazing in itself, and to be able to tell my story and shout about what I love is the biggest thing for me."