FIVE gold Duke of Edinburgh awards were achieved in the Okehampton area over the last year. Okehampton has two units which support young people taking the awards: one based at Okehampton College, and the 'Award Challenge Centre' for other young people in the area. The college unit, run by Rob Deane, awarded gold awards to Jenny Rice and Jeff Stephens, as well as four silver awards and eleven bronze level awards in the last 12 months, while the Award Challenge Centre helped Leah Bourne, Stacey Sinclair and Charlotte Davey to gain gold awards. The results were announced at the annual meeting of Okehampton and District Duke of Edinburgh's' Award Committee earlier this month, which was attended by county award officer Sally Yeo. The committee ensures that the Duke of Edinburgh awards are maintained in the Okehampton area through fundraising and training young people from 14 to 25 in the various disciplines necessary for successful completion of the expedition section of the awards. The committee is always keen to welcome new volunteers who would like to contribute to the ongoing provision of the award in the Okehampton area — in particular, anyone who might be able to help with expedition training, supervision and assessment. For further information contact chairman Chris Bourne on 01837 53797 or visit http://www.theaward.org">www.theaward.org
