Thirty two youngsters gathered at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on September 14 to celebrate the completion of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.

The evening, facilitated by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Youth Service, was held to congratulate local participants from around the county on their fantastic achievement before their official award ceremony in the presence of the HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the royal palace early next year.  Councillor Gwynne Woolridge, Young People’s Champion and Executive Board Member for Children and Education Services presented each of the successful young individuals with a certificate and praised them on their accomplishment.

Cllr Wooldridge said: “With nearly 190,000 university applicants left without confirmed places on A-level results day, and competition for new job opportunities being at an all time high, it is more important than ever before for youngsters to gain as many skills and achievements as possible before heading out into the big wide world.”

To gain their Gold Award, youngsters had to satisfy five separate requirements outlined in the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s programme.  This included 12 months of voluntary service, physical and skills based exercises, an expedition across four days and three nights in wild country, and a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for five days and four nights.

The Duke of Edinburgh awards have been popular within Carmarthenshire, attracting close to 1,800 local participants from schools, colleges and youth organisations around the county working across the Bronze, Silver and Gold Award levels at any one time.

Matt Morden, Strategic Manager for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “This is a good news story for Carmarthenshire. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has a great deal of credibility and really appeals to potential employers.”

Eleri Jones, who originally started her Gold Award with the Llandovery Ranger Guides, underwent a gruelling 50 mile hike through the Brecon Beacons whilst carrying a backpack weighing close to 2.5 stone for her expedition.  She later went on to University but made sure she carried on working through the Duke of Edinburgh’s criteria to ensure she got her Gold Award.  Eleri said: “It took me over four years to complete the Award due to University.  It was a real personal challenge, but I am really pleased I stuck with it and achieved the Gold Award.”

Michael Cullen also received his Gold Award at the presentation having started his Duke of Edinburgh many months ago with Coleg Sirgâr.  “We did our expedition in the Lake District and hiked 50-60 miles, cooking for ourselves in the evenings and camping across three nights,” said Michael. “I’m really chuffed with myself for seeing it through.  I volunteered to help other Duke of Edinburgh participants whilst doing my Gold Award to guide them through the experience.”

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