Duke of Edinburgh gold awards for Midhurst Rother College students

A four day, 55 mile, self sufficient expedition over Dartmoor was just one of the challenges which four former Midhurst Rother College (MRC) students faced while they were going for gold with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jun 2017, 14:40 BST

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Alex, Sascha, Jen and Will on their Dartmoor expeditionAlex, Sascha, Jen and Will on their Dartmoor expedition
Alex, Sascha, Jen and Will on their Dartmoor expedition

The journey ended at Buckingham Palace for Jennifer Welsman, Sascha Frankham and Alex Gilson who all completed all sections of the award and received the coveted gold award, the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

Former MRC student Will Jupp also achieved the award but was travelling abroad when the presentation ceremony at Buckingham Palace took place at the end of May.

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It was attended by Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, as

Prince Edward had recently taken over the Duke of Edinburgh’s role in the award scheme, when the Duke announced he was retiring from public life.

The Countess of Wessex presented the certificates and badges to the Midhurst group.

“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is organised and run by the Midhurst Youth Trust,” said Colin Hughes, chairman of the trust, “and it is offered to students of MRC and other young people who live in the area.

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Jennifer, Sascha, Alex and Will were all part of a group from MRC who had been working towards their awards for the last four years finally completing them last September.”

Physical, voluntary and residential tasks as well as learning a new skill all form part of the gold challenge along with the expedition. Alex learned to drive, became a guide leader, learned and taught dance and did a week long camp at Lodge Hill. Sascha completed gundog training, did Nationals Citizens Service, took up badminton and worked in Midhurst charity shop. Jen learned to drive for her skill, trained for a 5K run for her physical, volunteered as a swimming teacher and did volunteer work in Kenya.

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Related topics:Duke of EdinburghBuckingham Palace