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Golden day for Moray youngsters


By Staff Reporter

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AFTER years of adventure, learning and volunteering, a group of Moray youngsters has reached the gold standard in the world’s leading youth achievement award.

Moray's Lord Lieutenant Grenville Johnston addressed some of the 20 Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award achievers during a special ceremony this week.

The award, which has its beginnings as Kurt Hahn's Moray Badge, is now completed by hundreds of thousands of young people in 144 countries around the world.

This year's Moray recipients were: Claire Allan, Kathryn Barr, Stuart Berrill, Anais Bliault, Gregor Coulson, Renee Dumenil, Jasmin Ewen, Marcus Huby, Lisa Kearney, Roseanna Kendall, Steffan Kirkpatrick, Caitlin Mc Dougall, Lora Panayotova, James Parkinson, Meg Scott, Mia Slater, Kadie Smith, Conal Taylor, Jodie Walker and Frieda Welsh.

Lieutenant Colonel Johnston said: "As Gold Award achievers, you have proved that you have the capacity to aspire and succeed when the going gets tough.

"You have worked with others and developed solutions to overcome challenges.

"These skills will assist you in whatever walk of life you choose to follow and I wish you well."

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award recipients (from right) Mia Slater, Kadie Smith and Kathryn Barr with outgoing volunteers (from left) Heather Gray and Stacey Hamilton. Moray's Lord Lieutenant Grenville Johnston addressed the award's ceremony, as did Moray Council leader Graham Leadbitter.
Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award recipients (from right) Mia Slater, Kadie Smith and Kathryn Barr with outgoing volunteers (from left) Heather Gray and Stacey Hamilton. Moray's Lord Lieutenant Grenville Johnston addressed the award's ceremony, as did Moray Council leader Graham Leadbitter.

The Gold Award winners will receive their official certificates during ceremonies at Holyrood Palace and Buckingham Palace later this year.

Outgoing volunteers Stacey Hamilton, from Buckie High, and Heather Gray from Keith Grammar, received certificates for their contribution and support.

A third volunteer who could not attend, Yvonne Windsor who has supported the Moray Open Award Centre provision, was also praised.

Lt Col Johnston thanked them for the "countless hours" they had given to help young people through the scheme.

That was echoed by the leader of Moray Council Graham Leadbitter, who thanked all of Moray’s volunteers for the amount of behind-the-scenes work they put in to support young people.

Cllr Leadbitter, who is himself a holder of the Gold Award, said: "Every day I use the skills I learnt through my award journey and I appreciate the number of people who helped to make that happen."

For more information about the scheme in the Moray area, contact the Duke of Edinburgh Moray Award officer at dofemoray@moray.gov.uk or on 01343 813614.


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