Derwen College is extremely grateful to two Shropshire organisations who have made donations towards students’ Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards expeditions.
Oswestry Lions Club have donated £600 and Fitz Alan Lodge freemasons donated £615 to support students with special educational needs to complete Gold Awards this year. The funds will help cover expedition expenses for students, who will spend three nights and four days walking in Snowdonia.
Student Helen Thompson was among students who thanked the Lions and Fitz Alan Lodge for their generous contributions. Helen is a Hospitality and Food students who is progressing towards her Gold award.
Helen is also a talented swimmer who has represented Team GB as part of the Down Syndrome Swimming squad. She trains regularly at Derwen and with Oswestry Otters Swimming Club, and has been around the world with the GB squad.
Derwen College is very proud of its exceptional Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards provision. So far, we have celebrated students achieving 124 Bronze Awards, 103 Silver Awards and 38 Gold Awards.
Recently we opened a dedicated DofE Outdoor Centre where student can practice outdoor skills safely before embarking on expeditions. The area includes a canoe simulator, varied types of terrain for students to tackle, and many different stiles and gates to get to grips with.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards coordinator Steve Evans said: “Throughout College and DofE, inclusivity is vital. We want all of our students, regardless of abilities or disabilities, to relish the experience.”
“The DofE programme challenges our students, giving them opportunities to develop skills for life and work and promoting independence.”
“We are very grateful to supporters such as Fitz Alan Lodge and Oswestry Lions who help make this happen.”
