A GROUP of 37 Hampshire adventurous have proved their mettle and shown they have what it takes to achieve the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.
At a celebratory event, organised by the DofE’s Hampshire Forum and supported by Hampshire County Council, the Gold Award recipients were honoured with the presentation of a Hampshire certificate of appreciation from HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and president of the forum, Nigel Atkinson.
He said: “These young people have demonstrated a huge amount of commitment and determination to gain this very prestigious award, and they can be very proud of their achievement.
“I know they will all have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge too. As there is a real need for leaders to train the next generation of young participants, I would urge them to continue their good work and enjoyment by offering their time and skills as volunteers for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.”
Also present at the celebration was councillor Roy Perry, leader of Hampshire County Council and a vice president of the forum.
He said: “I commend all of those who undertake to achieve a Duke of Edinburgh Award. To take that achievement to gold level is to be congratulated especially – these award holders should be very proud of their achievement, which is tremendous. Working towards a Duke of Edinburgh Award offers young people wonderful opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people and learn from experiences that will stand them in good stead for their future.
“DofE represents a major challenge, and gaining the Gold Award is a real achievement,” said Martin King, chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Hampshire Forum.
“I hope to see many more young people following in their footsteps in the years to come.”
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a nationwide scheme, requiring participants to spend time volunteering, learning or improving a skill, taking part in a physical activity, and undertaking an expedition with a group of friends.
In the case of the Gold Award, a young person will typically give over 50 hours of volunteering, spend a total of eighteen months on the skill and physical activities, and undertake a four-day expedition in terrain classified as “Wild Country” – from Snowdonia and the Yorkshire Dales, to
Scotland, Dartmoor and the Brecon Beacons – camping overnight, carrying all their kit, and being fully self-sufficient.
Those going for Gold are also required to spend at least five days away from home on a challenge with people they don’t know. The young people attending the awards event had undertaken everything from crewing Tall Ships, to helping disadvantaged and disabled children at residential camps, to undertaking their National Citizen Service, to working with local communities in Kenya, spending time at CERN in Geneva and attending the Scout Jamboree in Finland.
List of the 2018 Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award recipients for Hampshire (broken down by district)
EAST HAMPSHIRE
Harriet Newell
Frederick Saunders
Kate Willett
Charlie Murrell
Rosella White
EASTLEIGH AND WINCHESTER
Charlotte Giles
Tom Hardwick
John Mandley
Emma Redfern
Matthew Varney
Amy Cutts
Kumuthu Amaradasa
Freya Anderson
David Carnegy
Aden Craig
Ritesh Ramachandra
Amy Webber
HART AND RUSHMOOR
Madeline Wigley
NEW FOREST
Connor Hansford
Edward Rogers
Edward Locke
Thomas Morris
TEST VALLEY
Charlotte Grimsey
SOUTHAMPTON CITY
Gemma Hoyes
Lauren Whittaker
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