Dick Griffiths (right) receiving his award from Haydyn Tanner, YET Chair
The Stephenson Award is named after Alfred Stephenson, who was the first Chairman of the YET Expedition Screening Panel and a great believer in the value of youth expeditions. He was a noted polar explorer and a member of the highly successful British Graham Land Expedition 1935–1937 (now called the Antarctic Peninsula). He was also secretary of the Antarctic Club for over 40 years.
In March, the Young Explorers Trust presented three Stephenson Awards to highly-deserving people.
Richard Griffiths FRGS CF
Richard “Dick” Griffiths is a retired Chartered Accountant, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a Churchill Fellow 2004, and a member of the Arctic Club. Dick has spent his life developing young people through the Scout Movement using adventurous activities in remote areas. Early years were in Mountain Rescue, becoming a Search dog Handler and Team Leader of Derby MRT, of which he is now a life Member, and with two colleagues running a Search & Rescue Management Project in Jordan in 2004.
A member of the Scout Movement almost all his life, Dick is currently Deputy County Commissioner for West Lancashire County Scouts and holds a national appointment as the APR Global Adviser. Over the years he developed an adventure programme for West Lancs and along with taking young people’s expeditions to NE Greenland he has encouraged a culture of overseas travel within the County. In recognition of his services he holds the highest adult award in Scouting: the Silver Wolf.
For over 40 years Dick has organized and led many expeditions in the Arctic to Greenland, Svalbard and Norway and continues to work with a logistics support organization in NE Greenland. Having taken early retirement, Dick became a freelance expedition leader and led expeditions to many other countries as well as enjoying personal overseas travel.
Whilst doing all the above, Dick has been a Trustee and Treasurer of the Young Explorers Trust for many years.
Dick is a very suitable recipient of the Stephenson Award.