Ref: PR 2501
Date: 02/02/2010
 
This year’s annual Duke of Edinburgh Awards for Wakefield will be extra special as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The awards will see certificates and badges presented to young people from across Wakefield who achieved their Bronze, Silver and Gold level awards with support from the Council’s youth development and support service.

Around 100 young people and their families will be at the event at Castleford Civic Centre along with some winners of awards from the last 20 years.

Cllr Pat Garbutt, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: "I think it’s wonderful that we can recognise the achievements of these young people in this way and we should all be incredibly proud of them as they have put a lot of effort and commitment into taking part in these awards.

"It's great to highlight and celebrate the successes and achievements of our young people to help improve the positive perception of them and hopefully encourage other young people to take up the awards challenge.

"There will be extra reason to celebrate this year to mark the award’s 20th birthday. The fact it has been running for so long shows how successful both the awards and our young people’s achievements have consistently been.”

Awards are achieved by completing a personal programme of activities in four or five sections including volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and residential (Gold only).

The event is on February 4 from 6.45pm for 7pm.

For more information on Council services visit www.wakefield.gov.uk or call 0845 8 506 506.