Three women who work and volunteer in the outdoor and climbing sphere have been recognised in the King's 2024 New Year Honours List. Rhiane Fatinikun, founder of Black Girls Hike, was awarded an MBE for services to nature and diversity; paraclimber Anoushé Husain was appointed MBE for services to people with disabilities, and Penelope 'Penny' Kirby was honoured for services to mountain rescue in the Lake District.

The annual list celebrates 'the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.'

Bolton-based Rhiane Fatinikun founded Black Girls Hike, an initiative that provides a safe space for black women to access the outdoors, in 2019. She has since received the RGS-IBG Geographical Award in 2022 and become an ambassador for The Wildlife Trust and Mountain Training. Fatinikun is also a broadcaster and author.

Writing on Instagram, she shared:'@bgh_uk will be 5 years old next month, its been an amazing journey and I'm immensely proud of what we've managed to achieve so far. Thank you to all the community that's supported me and BGH. I'm excited to see what 2024 brings!'

Anoushé Husain lives in London and is an ambassador for Ehlers Danlos Support UK, LimbPower, a co-founder of Paraclimbing London and a Disability Champion. She was born missing her right arm below the elbow and is a cancer survivor living with multiple health conditions. Husain has competed in IFSC Paraclimbing World Cups and was featured in UKC's Humans of Climbing series.

Husain wrote on Instagram: 'I am very honoured and humbled to have been recognised in the King's New Years Honours as a Member of the British Empire for Services to Disabled People. This honour is never in isolation and would never have happened without the support from everyone along the way. You all know who you are.'

Penny Kirby was honoured with an MBE for services to mountain rescue in the Lake District, having celebrated 40 years of service in the Wasdale MRT in 2023. She is currently an Operational Duty Team Leader and has participated in over 1200 call-outs over the years in her role as both a search dog handler and advanced first-aider.

Kirby commented in a post from the Wasdale MRT:  'It is an immense honour to be receiving this award. I am very fortunate to be in a position to help people in an environment I love. It is a privilege to play a small part in my local mountain rescue team, Wasdale MRT, also the Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs Association, and the wider Mountain Rescue community. I value the fact that we are voluntary organisations and I am extremely proud of the service we provide. Mountain Rescue would not exist if it weren't for the efforts of hundreds of colleagues and supporters across the country and I would like to thank them for their own time and commitment.'

The awards will be presented during investiture ceremonies taking place at Buckingham Palace throughout 2024.