Network Ryde, Ryde Town Council’s Youth Service, has announced that 24 young people have been presented with their Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Awards. The award ceremony took place at the George Street Centre in Ryde on Thursday 30th November and was attended by parents, family, friends of Network Ryde and Ryde Town Council Councillors. Richard May, Ryde’s Mayor, presented the awards and kindly said a few words; Richard was a Headteacher in Ryde for many years, so it was particularly poignant that he remembered teaching some of the young people receiving awards. During the award ceremony, James Nettleton, Isla Stone and Talitha Monaghan spoke brilliantly about their Silver sections: volunteering, physical and skill, and Blake Cotton gave some very funny behind the scenes footage of the incredibly rainy Silver assessed expedition. It was also fantastic to have Alex Keyes speak about his Gold expedition, as he is the first young person to complete this award at Network Ryde. In the summer 2024, Alex will be invited to attend a Gold Award celebration event at a Royal Palace, attended by a member of The Royal Family Alex Keyse, Gold Award winner commented:
“DofE has been with me for the last four years of my life. It has been very interesting and fulfilling journey, doing the activities I enjoy while also experiencing something new along the way, through the expeditions and the Gold residential. I feel stronger for it at both a physical and mental level, and I am already finding that having it on my CV is appreciated by universities and potential future employers alike.”
Weather wise, it has certainly been an ‘interesting’ year for DofE, so it’s even more impressive to think about the achievement of these young people, who battled gale force winds and flooding. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a massive part of Network Ryde, and the team are proud of each and every one of the young people who undertake this journey with them. Bex Swan, Network Ryde’s Youth Work Manager comments:
“We are so proud of all of our young people for completing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards at Network Ryde. As a team, we work hard to provide an inclusive youth service, and love the time we spend, out on expeditions, and supporting our young people on their DofE journey. We look forward to the next year!”
In the New Year, Network Ryde will start to plan their new DofE groups, and look forward to the forthcoming day walks, expeditions, and training sessions. If this is of interest, then get in touch via social media (@networkryde) or email [email protected] for details. Bronze Awards were presented to: Abigail Longerinas, Magnus Daish, Leo Stone, Tilly Soal, Abigail Fancourt, Lewis Dollery, Emma Clark and Eddie Boynton Silver Awards were presented to: Kylan Lotay, Peyton Drudge, Isla Stone, Theo Grimes, Chloe Neale, Mason Hasler Jack Wright, Freya Dollery, Eve Fleming, Talitha Monaghan, Blake Cotton, Tom Parsons, James Nettleton, Becky Wall, and Finley Morris Gold Award presented to: Alex Keyes
