SCOUTS stuck to their motto to ‘Do Your Best’ as they collected Gold Awards for hard work and commitment to the Scouting movement.
The youngsters from Scout groups across the Fylde coast joined other county members for the awards ceremony after three years working for the accolades.
To gain the awards the youngsters must take on nine challenges from mastering outdoor skills to contributing to their communities and working on creative activities.
Scout leader Stephen Brownwood said it was a proud moment seeing the youngsters collect their just rewards.
He said: “I was extremely proud. For me it’s two-pronged – I see them as a leader and a parent. It’s a great achievement and will go on their CV for future jobs, it will stand out and put them above the rest.”
Mr Brownwood’s daughter Monica collected her Gold Award at the ceremony.
The 14-year-old said: “I feel really, really good for getting my award – I’ve achieved a big thing. When you start out you don’t realise really how much you’ll do.”
Monica, a pupil at St Mary’s Catholic High School, Blackpool, wrote to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, as part of her global work to help children in Africa, and also helped to run a Christmas fair as part of her community work. She added: “It was good working with other people and people you wouldn’t necessarily work with to come together and make something happen.”
She now hopes to use the skills she has gained from the challenges when she takes on a young leaders role with another troop.
Teenagers from Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde-based groups gathered at The Marine Hall, Fleetwood, on Monday evening, with former Scouts and youth workers giving inspiring talks. John Gordon, head of young people’s services at Lancashire County Council presented certificates to 50 successful Scouts.
Mr Brownwood added: “The evening was a success. One former Scout gave a speech about what the Gold Award meant to him and how he was putting it to use now.”
Monica said it was inspirational to hear others talk about their experiences of the Gold Award.
She said: “It’s nice to know it’s been through lots of generations and all people who’ve done it think the same of how good it is.”
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