Gold For Ex Lord Williams’s Students

FIVE former pupils of Lord Williams?s School, Thame, have received Gold Duke of Edinburgh?s Awards from Hugo Brunner, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire.
The award ceremony took place yesterday (03/01) at the Unipart Conference Centre, Cowley, Oxford.
James Abbott (18), Sarah Braund (19), Andrew Dawson (20), Jeremy Shott (19) and Amy Wakelam (19) each undertook five elements in gaining this highest level recognition – community service, skills development, physical recreation, a residential project and an extended outdoor expedition. The program took over 18 months to complete and included canoeing, youth camp supervision, fundraising and voluntary work with hospital and the Scout and Guide movements.

Thanks were extended to the staff at Lord Williams?s School and award mentors for their support and guidance throughout the Gold Award and for their assistance in the Bronze and Silver prerequisite qualifications.

Chairman of the partnership, Keith Sexton, said: ?The personal achievements of the Oxfordshire Gold Award recipients, and the amount of benefit they have provided to local communities through the service section of this award, are a cause for real celebration.
?Amey, as a large company based in Oxford, is pleased to see its support for the award in the county being reflected in such a positive and inspiring way.?

In Oxfordshire, over 3,000 young people currently participate in The Duke of Edinburgh?s Award challenge. During 2007, 506 Bronze Awards, 193 Silver Awards and 119 Gold Awards were achieved. These silver and gold results have broken all previous county records.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of practical, cultural and adventurous activities, designed to support the personal and social development of young people aged 14-25, regardless of gender, background or ability. It offers an individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting, constructive, challenging and enjoyable activities in their free time.

Photo: (left to right) Sarah Braund, Andrew Dawson,
Hugo Laurence Joseph Brunner JP, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Jeremy Shott, James Abbott and Amy Wakelam