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Liz Bew showing her award
Liz Bew - Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Holder
10th November 2010
This week Liz Bew celebrated her 21st birthday and was also presented with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award by the Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, at a special presentation held at St James’s Palace, London. Liz left Hereford Sixth Form College in 2008 having gained A levels in Geology, Biology and Environmental Science and is now in her final year at Cardiff University reading Geology. She has worked with great energy and determination to complete all five sections of the Gold Award (Skill, Volunteering, Recreation, Residential and Expedition).
Liz’s mother was very pleased to be able to attend the presentation to celebrate with her daughter and we join her in being extremely proud of Liz. Completing the Award is an incredible accomplishment and is only achieved by a special person, someone who is prepared to “go the extra mile”.
The Award takes a minimum of eighteen months and requires a huge commitment to complete before the age of 25. Liz carried out voluntary work for Oxfam; learnt First Aid and became a member of the St John Ambulance Brigade; attended the gym regularly; went to Costa Rica on a turtle conservation project with other young people she had never met before,and completed the gruelling four day, self-supported expedition in the Cambrian Mountains. This was with a small team and involved walking and camping in difficult weather conditions in extremely wild country. The expedition marked the culmination of a year’s training, including two practice expeditions in the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, all with Hereford Sixth Form College’s Gold Duke of Edinburgh Club.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award has become a globally recognised achievement. In today’s difficult and challenging world, universities and employers know that Gold Award holders have already proved themselves as committed to overcoming challenges; seeing things through; working with and for others, and being the best that they can be. A holder of the Gold Award truly deserves to celebrate success.
Since leaving the College, Liz has remained a stalwart member of the team of supervisers who help run the Gold Club at Hereford Sixth Form College. We are delighted to have retained the interest and commitment of a number of our ex-students who are keen to return year after year to help train and supervise current Club members for their expedition in wild country. These young adults are a vital part of our team and their voluntary efforts have inspired us to establish a Gold Club Alumni Group to foster the relationships and teamwork they are generating. To mark the launch of this group, eight of us are embarking on a largely self-financed expedition to the Grand Canyon during Easter 2011. Liz is joining this exciting trip and indeed has been a valued member of the planning, training and fundraising team. Her efforts really do deserve recognition and the Club is grateful for all her input.
Well done Liz!