Following another successful year for young people registering for and gaining awards, more than 180 Bronze and Silver participants were invited to the annual Island Presentation Evening at the Gaiety Theatre.

This event is very kindly sponsored by Isle of Man Bank and Sam Skelton, Head of Intermediaries & Real Estate, presented the certificates.

The Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service is registered as an operating authority and has 14 award units signed up to offer Duke of Edinburgh (DofE), and although they are schools, youth groups and uniformed organisations the experience of the Award that young people have is very similar.

Some choose to do DofE independent of an award unit but are welcomed by other groups to complete certain sections of such as volunteering and expedition.

As well as the Youth Service there are some independent operating authorities such as King William’s College and the Isle of Man Air Cadets who are also invited to bring their young people to this event to be presented with their certificates.

The event was free of charge and young people invited as many guests as they wanted to support them in their achievement.

This year, as a one off, a Gold Badge was presented to Ian Fletcher who is one of the first Awards gained with the support of Autism Initiatives.

Alison Gawne, Awards Co-ordinator said: ‘This is one of my favourite events of the DofE year as it represents the end of the journey through a particular Award and a celebration of the personal achievements of each individual who comes forward to receive their Award.’

Photo - Ian Fletcher displays his Gold Badge.