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Students from Derwen College have been invited to Buckingham Palace to collect their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards on 24^th May.

Five current students and two former learners have received formal invitations to the palace from HRH Princess Eugenie of York, HRH The Earl of Wessex and HRH The Countess of Wessex. They will be swapping camping gear for smart suits and dresses for the formal presentation in the gardens at Buckingham Palace.

This month, Duke of Edinburgh Students at Derwen College doing their Gold Award were also given a fantastic boost from members of the three Masonic Lodges in Oswestry.

Fitz Alan Lodge, St. Oswald Lodge and Cae Glas Lodge each made a donation of £450 to the college, and their donations have been match funded by the Shropshire Masonic Charitable Fund, making a grand total of £1800.

The money will be used to fund the students to go on three expeditions, which are part of the Gold Award challenges. One of the expeditions will involve the students navigating their way through the Snowdonia Mountains, using a map and a route card. The students will be walking for about 10k each day before setting up camp and preparing their tea on camping stoves.

The Gold Award students also have to complete tasks at a residential activity centre on the shores of Lake Coniston in the Lake District. The group will be working alongside another Special Needs school and will be responsible for daily tasks – bed making, preparing meals, cleaning and tidying, as well as taking part in group activities such as canoeing, rock climbing, and abseiling.

Derwen College has a very popular and successful Duke of Edinburgh programme with 52 students currently working towards their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.

Steve Evans, Sports Coordinator at Derwen College said: “We are very proud of the Duke of Edinburgh programme we run at Derwen College, but the level of commitment needed from the students, their parents and college staff is immense. It means that raising funds to pay for the equipment, away days and transport can be difficult, so we really do appreciate the support of groups such as the Masonic Lodges for their wonderful generosity, year on year.”

Picture (L- R): Steve Evans, Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator at Derwen College; Adam Richards;  Pete Adams, Secretary of Cae Glas Lodge; Andy Clarke, Charity Steward Cae Glas Lodge; Wally James W.M. Cae Glas Lodge; Sarah Blows; Rachel Pickford and Josh Mallen.

Derwen College is urging runners to complete a 13-mile half marathon to help raise money towards therapy and fitness facilities to benefit students.

The college has teamed up with the organisers of the Shrewsbury Half Marathon to offer free places to two runners who want to run for and raise funds for the college on Sunday, 17th June.

This year, the college – which works with young adults with learning difficulties – is aiming to raise £60,000 towards an exciting new project to re-develop its sport and fitness facilities. The plans include a much-needed upgrade of the current swimming pool and sports hall, and a brand new hydrotherapy pool, which will provide a valuable therapy resource for those with limited movement and agility.

Representatives from Derwen College will be volunteering on the day, cheering on runners, and handing out water, and will have an information tent at the main start and finish point. They are now looking for two runners to take on the 13-mile course and to raise sponsorship. Runners who have already signed up for Shrewsbury Half are also invited to run for Derwen College.

Anna Evans, Fundraiser at Derwen College said: “This is an ideal opportunity for anyone wanting to take part in the Shrewsbury Half Marathon, and raise funds for a great cause. Every penny raised this year will go towards our £60K appeal, which will help us provide important facilities for therapy treatment for our students.”

Race Director Joe Williams commented: “We are looking forward to welcoming lots of runners supporting Derwen College at this year’s race, and we wish the college all the best with their fundraising to re-develop its sport and fitness facilities. The Shrewsbury Half Marathon is well known for its community spirit and huge local support, and it’s not too later to enter. A big thank you also goes to the volunteers from Derwen College.”

If you would like a place at Shrewsbury Half Marathon to raise funds for Derwen College, or would like to know more about DC Charity fundraising, then please contact Anna Evans on 01691 661234 or email anna.evans@derwen.ac.uk

More details of the Shrewsbury Half Marathon can be found at: http://www.shrewsburyhalf.co.uk/

Hundreds of students, parents, staff and locals joined in the 51st annual Derwen College sponsored walk on a sunny Sunday morning, raising thousands of pounds.

Walkers with smiling faces enjoyed a glorious day of sunshine completing the 10 kilometre route around Gobowen and surrounding countryside before finishing off with a well-deserved cup of free home-made vegetable soup and fresh bread back at the college.

Olive Morris, aged 74, completed her 50th walk for the college raising more than £400. She was presented with a certificate marking this momentous occasion by Derwen College Principal Meryl Green and Chief Executive Ruth Thomas.

The family of student Carter Gough raised a phenomenal £2,500 through support from friends and family. The family were given an extra surprise when Carter’s aunty and cousin greeted them as secret marshals towards the end of the 10 kilometre route. Jo-Anna Grove and her son Oliver were taken to the marshal points undercover once the walk had started so that they could surprise Carter.

Walkers were also given a six kilometre option and one kilometre option around Derwen College’ Woodland Walk to ensure as many students as possible could join in.

Helen Edwards, Projects and Partnerships Co-ordinator at Derwen College said: “It was such a lovely day with a lot of support from local people as well as college students and their families. We are very grateful to everyone who came along and raised large amounts of money through sponsorship. I hope there weren’t too many blisters at the end of the day!’

“Special thanks to Olive Morris for walking her 50th sponsored walk with us and for single-handedly raising thousands of pounds over the past five decades.”

Money raised from the walk will be added to Derwen College’s £60,000 fundraising target for 2018. Funds will go towards a new therapy and fitness centre, including a hydrotherapy pool.

The College’s next major event is taking place on Thursday 31st May with the Derwen College Summer Fete. Don’t miss it!

For more information about Derwen College, DC Charity and the Derwen events, eateries and shopping visit www.derwen.ac.uk