We are delighted to announce that our very own volunteer John Aitken has been named Joint Winner of the 2025 Marsh Volunteer Individual Award, presented as part of this year’s National Historic Ships UK Awards.
The Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to maritime heritage across the UK, recognising the volunteers, organisations, and vessels working to keep historic ships alive for future generations. We are incredibly proud to see John recognised at a national level for the passion, skill, and warmth he brings to the Tall Ship Glenlee.
The Tall Ship Glenlee is proud to have long-standing ties to National Historic Ships UK, having previously been named Flagship of the Year in 2021 and recognised as part of the National Historic Fleet for her national significance.
John’s Contribution to Glenlee
Since joining the Tall Ship Glenlee Trust three years ago, John has become an integral part of our team. His engineering skills support vital maintenance work over the winter months, while in summer he can be found aboard the ship welcoming visitors and sharing his enthusiasm for Scotland’s maritime heritage.
He is also the beloved star of our festive programme—donning the Santa suit each Christmas to bring seasonal magic to families across Glasgow.
This award acknowledges the dedication, generosity, and joy he brings to everything he does, both behind the scenes and in the public eye. We couldn’t be more grateful.
A Well-Deserved Honour
The Marsh Volunteer Awards, run in partnership with the Marsh Charitable Trust, recognise exceptional individual and group volunteering within the UK’s historic vessel sector. Volunteers form the backbone of maritime heritage, and this award shines a spotlight on the vital contribution they make to keeping our ships afloat—literally and figuratively.
John’s award is supported by glowing endorsements from across the Glenlee team, celebrating both his technical expertise and his boundless enthusiasm for sharing the ship’s story.
Thank You, John
On behalf of everyone at the Tall Ship Glenlee Trust—congratulations, John, and thank you for all you do. This recognition is richly deserved, and we are honoured to have you as part of our crew.