When Peter Hotston learned in January that he had been awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers – a national honour recognizing exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians – he said he felt quite surprised and just a little disconcerted.
“It’s kind of humbling,” he said. “And I was somewhat embarrassed. Non-plussed.”
As an official Canadian honour, the Medal for Volunteers incorporates and replaces the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, created in 1995, by then-Governor General the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc. The Medal builds on the legacy and spirit of the Caring Canadian Award by honouring the dedication and commitment of volunteers.
Hotston, who moved to Squamish in 1974 from England, is being honoured for the 15 years he managed the Squamish Triathlon in support of the Bob Macintosh Memorial Scholarship Foundation. He was commended for “his steady leadership” which led to the Squamish Triathlon being “recognized by Tri-BC and the broader triathlon community as one of the best triathlons in British Columbia.”
Hotston said the award came as a complete surprise.
“I had no idea,” he said. “I don’t even know who nominated me for the award. Whoever they were, they did their research and knew a lot about me.”
John French, who took over the role of race director for the Squamish Tri after Hotston, has an idea who it was.
“It was me,” he said. “I nominated him because he did an amazing job of creating the Squamish Tri. He brought a team together to create something that continues to be a huge success.”
French said although Hotston has received accolades for the event in the past, he felt that more needed to be said.
“I feel he needed more recognition for creating such a lasting legacy,” said French. “Honestly, when I took over as race director, I felt like I was taking over a well-oiled machine that practically took care of itself.”
French said all that was required to nominate Hotston was to fill in a nomination form and get a witness to sign.
“Doug Race gladly added his name to the nomination for Hotston,” said French. “Peter is such an amazing guy, so inspirational. He was my PE teacher in high school, and he is a true leader.”
But for Hotston, the Squamish Triathlon has always very much been a group effort.
“It was not just me,” he said. “There were many people who made it happen. The first year, we had 100 volunteers, which really enabled us to run a great event, and establish a scholarship in Bob’s name after his death. And that scholarship should last forever, which is pretty amazing.”
In addition to helping to create the Squamish Triathlon, Hotston also established other events in the community over the years, including the annual Squamish 10K Run, running groups and a track and field club.
“When I first got here, I did not know a lot about North American sports,” he said. “I started to get involved in cross country, and other extracurricular athletics at the high school. Over the years, I’ve mostly just been concerned with trying to provide our local athletes with opportunities in Squamish.”
Hotston will receive the medal at a presentation ceremony the date of which has yet to be announced. For more information on the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, go to caring.gg.ca.
