TWO former Droitwich Spa High School pupils scored have completed their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) awards.
William Wilson and Clodagh Sinead Lodge joined hundreds of other young achievers from across the UK to receive their gold awards at a prestigious event held at St James Palace, in London.
Clodagh also successfully completed her bronze and silver awards whilst at Droitwich Spa High and Worcester Sixth-Form College.
The pair were awarded their certificate from the DofE’s patron and founder HRH Prince Philip at The Gold Award Presentation, which celebrates hard work, determination and perseverance.
William, a former head boy, worked tirelessly for 18 months to complete the five sections needed for the programme.
The activities he needed to do included 18 months’ tennis training at a tennis club, 12 months’ service as an assistant leader at Droitwich Methodist Junior Church and six months developing his skills playing the acoustic guitar.
Will also took part in a week long National Trust Working Holidays programme in West Sussex where he had to complete conservation activities like shrub clearing and habitat maintenance.
The final task Will had to tackle was a four day walking and camping expedition in the Lake District which involved at least eight hours a day on his feet in mountainous terrain with a team of fellow students from the his school.
Will said: “The DofE Award as a whole is something I will never forget and has had a positive influence on me as a person, and also my local community.
“Although challenging, the award was definitely worthwhile and I will certainly be continuing with the activities that helped me to achieve it.
“These experiences show what an impact doing your DofE can have and can develop the skills needed for life.”
Will is now studying for a Geography degree at Aberystwyth University.
Clodagh volunteered at Shelter for three hours a week, chose genealogy as her skill and undertook a residential at a youth hostel in Swanage, doing water sports activities.
She also embarked on a walking and camping trek to Cadair Idris.
Clodagh, 19, is now currently studying a two-year fast-track law degree.
She said: “The Duke of Edinburgh was a lot of hard work but it very much paid off in the end.
“It was a great feeling to get the award.
“I wasn’t keen to start with, but it has been very useful for interviews and I have made a lot of new friends along the way.”
Visit www.dofe.orgn for more on the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme.
William Wilson and Clodagh Sinead Lodge. s
