DoE recipents given a Royal VIP reception
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TEN inspiring Halton young people went to Buckingham Palace to collect their Gold Duke Of Edinburgh Awards.
The ceremony was attended by many celebrities and dignitaries including several members of the Royal family who helped to make the occasion such a memorable day for young people and their families.
On average around 30 young people from Halton achieve their Gold awards each year.
There will be similar events later in the year that other Halton Gold DoE award achievers will attend.
Statistics taken from 2018 show that Halton faired extremely well with 60% of the young people who originally signed up for the award successfully completing, compared with an average of 50% for the North West.
Halton Borough Council’s executive board member for children, young people and families, Cllr Tom McInerney, said: “I would like
to congratulate all the DoE recipients. Well deserved!”
Barry Selby, lead Duke Of Edinburgh facilitator at Young Addaction Halton, said: “I’m privileged and very proud to have been involved with the Duke Of Edinburgh scheme in Halton for the last 20 years.
The scheme has flourished in Halton for many, many years and has been particularly successful with the Gold Award sending more than 20 young people every year to either St James Palace or Buckingham Palace to collect their awards.
“A very proud and momentous occasion for the young people and their families and the borough of Halton. “Long may it continue.” Amy Winter, aged 18, one of the young people who collected an award, said: “Being able to go to Buckingham Palace was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience.
“The day brought back so many memories of all the Bronze, Silver and Gold expeditions that got me here today.
“I got to meet Neil Morrissey and learnt all about his life and achievements and he congratulated us on ours.
“Going through the palace gates was such an incredible feeling and it reminded me the whole Duke Of Edinburgh experience was worth it.
“The day made me feel so proud of myself.
“I felt I had really achieved something special.”
The Duke Of Edinburgh Award and Halton Mayors Award programmes in Halton are organised by Young Addaction on behalf of Halton’s Children’s Trust and Halton Borough Council as part of an ongoing commitment to improve opportunities for all children and young people living in the borough.
For more information on how to become involved contact Young Addaction on 01928 240 406.