Trio presented with gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award at palace

THREE students have received their gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Toby Broom, 20, from Henley, and Frances Nutt, 23, and her sister Ruth, 20, from Caversham, trained for the award at the Eyot Centre in Wargrave Road, Henley, where the girls’ father Kevin runs the scheme.

They were presented with their awards by newsreader Alistair Stewart and the Earl of Wessex, who is a trustee of the charity, at a ceremony at St James’s Palace in London.

It takes a year to 18 months to complete the gold award, which aims to help develop key skills for life and work such as confidence, commitment and team-working.

The trio had to learn a new skill, get fit and take part in a week-long residential trip. They also had to plan and undertake an expedition in wild country.

Mr Nutt, who accompanied the youngsters to the capital, said: “We started the gold award four years ago with just five youngsters. Since then a further 21 have started out on their gold journey. Ruth and Toby Broom are two of our first group and Frances was one of our third group. Three more youngsters have now completed it — one has been to the palace and the other two are waiting. At the Eyot Centre our bronze group do their expedition on foot and to date our silver and gold groups have all canoed for their expeditions.

“It is great when you see youngsters start out on their journey and the satisfaction and pride shown when they complete their award.

“We all feel a huge sense of pride in them for their perseverance and commitment.”

Frances, who is training to be a teacher, said: “It is a great way of meeting new people, going on a journey together and supporting one another through the good times and the bad.”

Toby is also training to be a teacher while Ruth is studying sports science. Both are former students at Gillotts School in Henley and The Henley College.

The Eyot Centre has just started its next award group. The bronze group is full but there are still spaces on the silver and gold award groups.

For more information, visit www.eyotdofe.com