Billy Jones, former Head Boy at John Kyrle High School (JKHS), attended a presentation the week before Christmas, at St James’ Palace, London, where he received his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award from adventure athlete, Darren Grigas, after sharing experiences with HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex.

During the Gold Award Presentation, Prince Edward took the opportunity to congratulate all the participants on their successes, and he heard about their D of E journeys, which took each young person 12 to 18 months of hard work and dedication.

Those who achieve a Gold D of E Award will volunteer, learn a skill, get fit, take part in a week-long residential, and plan and undertake an expedition in wild country.

Widely acknowledged as the world’s leading achievement award for young people aged 14 to 24 to develop key skills in life and work, such as confidence, commitment and team working.

Billy worked on the development of his skill, acting, and his volunteer work, with young people, at the Phoenix Theatre. He also played badminton to get fit and his residential was a week in Wales, with the NCS. His group’s expedition was a week hiking in Dartmoor.

Billy told the Gazette that his experiences throughout the Award have made him many new friends, improved his confidence and prepared him well for the future.

There are currently over 300,000 young people taking part in a D of E programme across the UK through a variety of centres. To find out more about the D of E Award, please visit: www.dofe.org