From Castle to Palace for Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Holders from Cullybackey
Four young Cullybackey residents incorporating three former Army Cadets from Cullybackey College Detachment Army Cadet Force, along with an honorary member of the team gaining her award through Causeway Open Awards, joined together to celebrated achieving their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award in Buckingham Palace Garden, hosted by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in his role as Patron of the DofE charity.
Northern Regional College student Anna Grace Donnelly (18), Queen’s University student Abaigail Halligan (22) currently on placement at in Loreto College, Coleraine, Ulster University student Leah Service (20) and the only gentleman on the team Joel Roxborough (22) who is at the Butchery Academy in Cranswick Country Foods, Cullybackey, joined thousands of young people and their loved ones from across the UK for a festival-style celebration on Friday 10th May 2024.
It had been quite a journey for the four who had suffered many cancellations and setbacks to completing their award due to COVID 19, but eventually completed their 4 day Gold expedition in April 2023 through Binevenagh in the far north of the Sperrins & finishing along on the North Coast grounds of Kinbane Castle and finally got to celebrated their award at Buckingham Palace in the presence if HM Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh.
Before attending Buckingham Palace, the former Irish Guards cap badged cadets and their families visited the building next door, Wellington Barracks home for the Foot Battalion, one of which are Irish Guards. They were treated to a tour by Major R. Wilmont MBE Assistant Adjutant of Wellington Barracks, they were shown the offices, with spectacular views of the Palace, the museum, and where the soldiers reside, relax and prepare for changing of the guard, adorning their traditional Bear Skins with the St Patrick blue plums and red jackets, to perform their ceremonial duties at the Royal Palaces situated within London.
Then it was time to proceed to the Palace, the glorious weather added to day which recognised young people who have shown extraordinary perseverance, creativity and resilience to complete their Gold DofE in schools, community organisations, youth groups and workplaces, all over the UK.
Buckingham Palace Garden had been transformed into a festival-style celebration for young people and their loved ones, with giant deckchairs, bunting and garden games and activities. Attendees had the chance to hear from famous DofE Award holders and other inspiring speakers.
For the former cadets who had started their Duke of Edinburgh journey by litter picking with donated litter picker and refuge sacks from Cranswick Country Foods, & delivering food parcels to the vulnerable through Cullybackey Community Partnership and Evergreen’s Club, and collecting ring pulls for Blesma as part of their volunteering section.
The 20 year old Ulster University student Leah Service also received the prestigious British Citizens youth Certificate for her efforts during COVID 19.
Portglenone student Leah Service said: “This is a fantastic award to have on my CV. I would also like to thank the instructors in the Army Cadet Force for assisting me with the award”
Also in attendance at the Buckingham Palace Celebrations was the 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadets Duke of Edinburgh Officer Captain Jason Jack.
Captain Jack congratulated the team by saying:
“Part of the Army Cadet Force curriculum is to provide the opportunity to challenge our young cadets and adult volunteers by gaining their Bronze, Silver, and Gold. I would like to congratulate the team for gaining the Gold Award and on behalf of the Battalion, wish them all continued success as they continue their learning journey in University, College and the work place”.
About The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
A Gold DofE programme is a non-competitive personal challenge, open to all young people, which takes a minimum of 12 months to complete. Young people build their own programmes with activities in five sections – Physical, Skills, Volunteering, a five-day Residential and a four-day Expedition.
While working towards their Award, young people discover new talents and passions, give back to their communities, broaden their horizons, build their resilience and self-belief and gain skills employers value– like teamwork, problem-solving and leadership.
ENDS
For further information about the DofE please contact the DofE press office on 01753 727420 or email [email protected]
About the DofE
Every year, the DofE inspires hundreds of thousands of young people – from all walks of life – to develop skills, resilience and self-belief. We help them take on their own challenges, follow their passions, make a difference to their communities and discover talents they never knew they had.
DofE is open to any young person aged 14-24. Each young person builds their own DofE programme – picking their own activities and choosing which cause to volunteer for – in order to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award. The DofE is run in schools, youth clubs, hospitals, fostering agencies, prisons, sports clubs and more, all over the UK. Find out more at DofE.org.