GOLDEN EAGLE
Rhiane Fatinikun Black Girls Hike UK
The OWPG ’ s Golden Eagle Award is presented to individuals for ‘ Outstanding Services to the Outdoors ’. Rhiane Fatinikun , this year ’ s worthy winner , is the founder of Black Girls Hike UK ( www . bghuk . com ). The primary aim of BGH is to provide a safe space for black women to explore the outdoors , to challenge the status quo , and encourage black women to reconnect with nature . To this end Rhiane , and her team , host nationwide group hikes , outdoor activity days and training events .
Rhiane is an outdoors advocate , community organiser , and a National Diversity Awards Positive Role Model For Gender 2021 winner . She has also spent several years working with grassroots organisations serving vulnerable , ethnically-diverse communities .
Golden Eagle Award winners receive an exclusive watercolour painted by OWPG member David Bellamy . This year ’ s painting of a scene in the Peak District – Evening light on the Roaches ( above ) – is an area very familiar to Rhiane . Rhiane receiving David ’ s painting from Stan Abbott
10 outdoor focus / winter 2023