2016 marked the Diamond Anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In order to celebrate this Award, participants were invited to take part in a series of challenges. Participants registered for £20 to receive their Challenger T-shirts and set themselves a Challenge that was meaningful to them. In order to receive their limited edition Diamond Challenge pin and certificate, participants needed to raise a minimum of £60. All funds that were raised give the opportunity to thousands of other young people to benefit from taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Two ex-St. Ninian’s High School students were amongst those who took part in this prestigious Diamond Award, following on from achieving their DofE Gold Awards in 2015, which was presented at St. James Palace in London by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh. They were: Ryan Craig and Agata Bojanowska.
Agata raised her £60 by taking part in a cake sale and Ryan raised his £60 by completing a sponsored personal climbing challenge on the Greek Island of Kalymnos.
Ryan commented
'I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in my fourth Duke of Edinburgh Award, which has helped me in so many ways throughout my BA Degree Studies in Outdoor Leadership at the University of Derby (Buxton). I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to take part in such a worthwhile Award and to see other participants complete their Award last summer when I worked with Alison Gawne, DoFE Awards’ Co-ordinator, on the scheme. Going to St. James’ Palace with my dad, Alison, Agata and my friend, Daniel Phair was the highlight of my year! Having the opportunity of working with such an experienced DofE Co-ordinator and under the guidance of Ardwhallan Outdoor Education Centre, helped in obtaining my goals.'
Agata said
'The experience as a whole was a life changing event. I met wonderful people, gained really useful skills and would recommend the scheme to everyone. My friend has also recently signed up for her Diamond Award after seeing the wonderful time I had. I am very grateful to Alison Gawne and Ardwhallan Outdoor Education Centre for all their help. Going to St. James’ Palace to receive my Gold Award from his Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, will be one of the highlights of my life and an experience I will never forget especially as I was accompanied by Ryan and Daniel (the tremendous trio), Alison and my parents. I was grateful to Ryan for coming to Poland to join me on my mission of climbing Mount Sniezka – we had a fantastic time!'
Alison Gawne, DofE Awards’ Co-ordinator confirmed that
‘it was great to be able to attend the Gold Presentation at St James’s Palace, particularly as Agata, Ryan and Daniel were receiving their Awards as I had seen them progress through their Bronze, Silver and Gold. It is especially heartening to see these young people continue to support DofE by taking part in the Diamond Challenge, I am very proud of them all.'
The Diamond Award has now finished, but there is still the opportunity to raise funds for the local DofE Award by taking part in the Seven Hilltop Adventure Challenge. For details contact Alison by email: Alison.Gawne@sch.im or phone +44 1624 686051.
