Maidenhead & Windsor

It will be a very special “right Royal occasion” for three young Maidenhead students – and a “first” for the popular Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

The trio will be “flying the Royal Borough flag” on home territory when they join a bumper crop of nearly 1,000 young people stepping up to receive their gold awards at a special presentation ceremony to be held for the first time at Windsor Castle later this week.

University students Hannah Nicole Dutfield, Hannah Sharp and Laura Vaughan, all from Maidenhead, completed their Gold expedition through the borough’s Outdoor Education Project based at Castle Hill centre in Maidenhead.

To qualify for their gold award, all the young people aged between 17 and 25 have to spend at least 18 months volunteering in their local communities, learning a new skill, achieving at a physical activity, planning and undertaking an expedition and spending five days working away from home working on a special and constructive project.

The latest batch of young Windsor and Maidenhead recipients will receive their awards at the ceremony at the castle on Thursday July 12, hosted by the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Presenting the awards will be a star-studded “cast” of invited celebrities from the worlds of politics and entertainment, including GMTV’s Ben Shepherd, Dead Ringers star Jon Culshaw, swimmer Duncan Goodhew, comedian Harry Hill, TV presenters Alice Beer and Bill Turnbull and Tim Campbell, winner of the recent TV programme The Apprentice.

Catherine Hurst, Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough Award Co-ordinator, said: “All the young people involved in this very special occasion should be very, very proud of their achievements.

“They have all demonstrated terrific commitment and enthusiasm – as indeed have the people who give up their time to help them reach their goals.

“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, but it is still as popular as ever and continues to attract large numbers of young people to take part in its range of challenging activities.

“It also provides a unique opportunity for young people to develop and grow in confidence as they learn new skills and make new friends at the same time. Well done everyone!”

For further information about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award contact the Royal Borough’s Award Co-ordinator Catherine Hurst on 01628 796478. For further details about the Awards ceremony contact the Award Scheme head office on 01753 727423.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead