Fund Raising for Duke of Edinburgh Award
| Published: 13th June 2007 13:17 |
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award aims to provide for young people an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.
Nine determined young people and three group leaders from Ruislip are looking to set off for a two week expedition to the Shamwari game reserve and along the coast of South Africa on August 17th 2007 aiming to achieve Gold in the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh's Award. To complete their Gold Award they will need to complete the following sections: Skill, Community Service and Physical Recreation, which all require a year's commitment.
As part of the venture these young people will also be working in a local school with disadvantaged children, helping them to learn basic ICT skills and also organising sports games for them and running after school activities which creates a need for sports equipment and other classroom essentials! For their Residential they will be working in small groups on a big five game reserve helping to track animals and plants.
Members of the group include Claire Speight who contacted AboutMyArea to help create awareness of their project and seek additional funding. Although they have received £200 from the Ruislip Lions Rotary Club, they have also raised money from a car wash, cake sale, packaging at Iceland and a quiz organized by Barclays Bank and £400 from Elthorne Hillingdon Rotary Cub. They need to raise £1700 each for the trip.
The hard working teenagers get together at Ruislip Young People's Centre in Bury Street, where they attend the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme each week to train for their gold. As part of their preparation the group went to Hillingdon outdoor centre in Cwm Pennant for a team bonding weekend last February.
Achieving gold in these awards is no easy feat and involves a lot of determination and commitment. These youngsters have all worked hard in rising to the challenge through learning new skills, building their confidence and developing their independence. Claire said: "By completing our trip we would also hope to inspire other young people to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's award, at all levels. Our group will also enable young people in this area to spend time with new friends doing something constructive and fun".
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of activities open to anyone aged 14-25.Young people interested should contact Ruislip Young People's Centre on 01895 470093.
Another fundraising event is being planned for July 20th at the Battle of Britain Club featuring Bingo and a dancing night with Vyners Swing Band.
Please email Claire Speight or Terry Prickett for further information on sponsorship
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