On Thursday 17 July, 18 year-old Catherine Walker from Wimbledon was one of 2,000 young people who attended Buckingham Palace to celebrate their achievement of the Gold Standard of The Duke of Edinburgh Award, attended by HRH The Prince Phillip.

Catherine, who is currently attending a four-year BA (hons) in Primary Education at Leeds University, gained her Gold Standard earlier this year after successfully completing the five activities:

Service A voluntary youth leader at the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in Merton
Skill Playing the trombone with the Merton Music Foundation Orchestra and Jazz band
Expedition 4 days on the Brecon Beacons in Wales
Physical recreation Trampolining
Residential project Outward bound in Ullswater

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is part of Merton’s Youth Service and is available for all young people aged 14-25 years living or going to school in the borough. There are over one thousand young people currently registered with the award in Merton, each one taking part in the scheme at bronze, silver or gold level by completing four sections, service, skill, physical recreation and expedition (a fifth, a residential project at Gold level).

It is a voluntary programme completed in extra curricular time, which offers the chance to participate in a wide range of activities, learn new skills and make new friends.

As well as being fun to do, the Award is an accredited, nationally recognized scheme which employers and educational institutions find extremely attractive.

For more information on the Duke of Edinburgh Award, contact Carol Curtis on 020 8648 1796.

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PRESS CONTACT – Kirstin Rowan – 020 8545 3483