Earl of Wessex meets Gold Award winners at Hillsborough
HRH The Earl of Wessex attended a presentation of Duke Of Edinburgh Gold Awards at Hillsborough Castle.
His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex has met around 50 Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award winners at a presentation ceremony in Hillsborough Castle.
His Royal Highness was greeted at Hillsborough Castle by Mrs Fionnuala Cook OBE DL Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Down and went on to meet Mr Ian Webb Sheriff for County Down and Ms Kate Thompson Director, Northern Ireland Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).
The award winners were presented with the prestigious Gold Award marking the successful completion of a programme of personal development aimed at helping young people reach their full potential.
Each of the award winners undertook activities including community work, personal fitness, planning and completing an adventurous journey and working and living away from home.
Joining today’s celebration and helping present the award certificates were Mike Nesbitt and Lynda Bryans, television presenters.
During the engagement His Royal Highness had the opportunity to meet recipients and their guests along with DofE volunteers and leaders.
Students from Victoria College in Belfast under the direction of Mrs Audrey Gillian provided a musical backdrop for the engagement.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award began in 1956 and with the widest reach of any UK youth charity helps around 275,000 young people undertake Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards each year.
Note to Editors
Information about The Duke of Edinburgh Awards can be found at: www.theaward.org