Duke of Edinburgh's Awards evening

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More than 20 local young people take part

More than 20 young people from Hammersmith &
Fulham who took part in two and three-day hikes to gain their Duke of Edinburgh's bronze and silver awards had their achievements recognised at a presentation evening at Chelsea FC's Stamford Bridge stadium.

To gain their awards the young people, many of
whom had never been camping before, took part in overnight expeditions in the South Downs and Chiltern Hills. They also had to show ability in life skills
including cooking, first aid and map reading as well as taking part in sports and voluntary community service.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards scheme, which
will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, is coordinated in the borough's schools, youth and community groups by the council's sports development team.

The young people receiving Duke of Edinburgh's
awards or certificates for completing sections of the awards at Thursday's (17 November) event came from Fulham Cross School, Henry Compton School, Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith & Fulham Action on
Disability (HAFAD) and Hammersmith & Fulham Young Carers' Project. More than 20 were presented with their Duke of Edinburgh's certificates and badges by Cllr Melanie Smallman, the council's cabinet member for
education. Another four, who have completed sections of the bronze
award, were given completion certificates by Cllr Smallman to recognise
their achievements.

In the last year 48 local young people aged 14
and over have gained Duke of Edinburgh bronze and six aged 15 and over
have gained silver. The scheme, one of the most prestigious national
youth awards, is due to be expanded locally by the council, with the
help of an additional youth worker, so that more young people can take
part next year.

Former Fulham Cross School student Rahima Miah,
16, now a sixth-former at the William Morris Academy, in Hammersmith,
has gained her bronze and silver awards. She completed her silver
expedition with fellow Fulham Cross pupils on the South Downs, in
Sussex.
"It was fantastic - well worth it. I am now
hoping to take the gold award," said Rahima. "I am not usually an
outdoor person and I like my make-up but I realised I didn't need all of
that. It was about feeling the fresh air on my face and being proud at
what we had achieved."

Cllr Smallman said: "The Duke of Edinburgh's
Awards are a real challenge and give young people a huge sense of
achievement - they feel like there is nothing they cannot do at the end
of their expeditions. That's why we want to expand the scheme to give
more young people the chance to take their awards."

 

November 27, 2005