HRH The Earl of Wessex Presents Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Certificates to Participants from Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.

Following on from our world famous pancake flipping adventure with Prince William and the then Catherine Middleton, Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children’s (NICFC) royal connections are going from strength to strength after we welcomed His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex, to NICFC’s respite facilities, Shimna Valley and Narnia.

As part of a one day visit to Northern Ireland, HRH presented young people from Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children with their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Certificates. Since its introduction in 2005, The Duke of Edinburgh Programme has been a core activity within NICFC’s Youth Programme, offering teenagers and young adults aged 14 –25 years old the opportunity to complete their Bronze, Silver and Gold Award
programmes.

Each award is tailored to allow young people living with cancer to develop individual skills at their own pace, and in the past seven years, 140 young people living with cancer have successfully completed the programme.

During his visit, HRH met a host of NICFC supporters, volunteers, staff and board members. Later, as part of a tour of Narnia, HRH gained an insight into the planning which accompanies Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, as NICFC Youth Workers and young people involved in the Award demonstrated some of the activities. These included packing a rucksack and equipment checking; map/log book work; and menus and food planning.

The highlight of the day was when, HRH presented the Gold Award participants including Niall Connor, Liam Lavery, Gillian Adair and Natasha Walsh with their certificates. HRH presented the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Operating Authority Licence Certificate to Gillian Creevy on behalf of the NICFC. 

After receiving his certificate from HRH, 23 year old Niall who has completed all three stages of the Duke of Edinburgh Award with Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children said, “Receiving my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award from HRH The Earl of Wessex was a very proud moment for me and my family. Having the
opportunity to meet and speak to Prince Edward  about our experiences of
the award and Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children is something I will
never forget.” 

Speaking at the event, NICFC Chief Executive Gillian Creevy said, “The young people who have completed their Duke of Edinburgh Award have faced many personal challenges, yet they have shown great strength and determination in achieving this accolade.

We are thrilled their hard work and dedication has been recognised and would like to thank HRH, The Earl of Wessex for personally acknowledging their fantastic achievements. This will hopefully send out a message to other young people living with cancer that there are opportunities such as The Duke of Edinburgh Award available, which will allow them to embark on new adventures and fulfil their true potential”

Before leaving, His Royal Highness unveiled a plaque at Shimna to commemorate the visit and added his signature to the visitors’ book. However, no visit would be complete without a gift of Shimna Valley Village “Daisy” Shortbread which was presented by Barbara Kennedy, NICFC Volunteer and Gold Award recipient.

If you would like more information about how you could become involved with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards contact Jacqui on 079 1773 2736 or email Jacqui@nicfc.com

Updated on: 1st February, 2012