A Kirkpatrick Durham girl has been presented with the Guides’ highest achievement prize.
Erin Dawdry received the Gold Award from unit leader Anne Carstairs at Castle Douglas Guides’ meeting on Monday night.
It’s a rare honour – and Anne paid tribute to the “exceptional” 14-year-old for achieving the coveted accolade.
She told the News: “The Gold Award is the highest award you can attain in the Guides’ section.
“Erin has a wide range of interests, is very hardworking and determined and has shown a lot of perseverance.
“Her six themes were know myself, express myself, be well, have adventures, take action and skills for my future.
“For each she got her interest badge and her skills builder badge.
“She also completed four of five challenges as part of a patrol and on top of that did 240 hours of unit meeting activities.
“It’s a lot of work – Erin worked on her own, as part of a group and as part of a team.”
Anne added: “Erin finally had to do a challenge on her own to complete the set.
“She organised an outdoor activity for the rest of the guides in the unit.
“There won’t be a gold award every year. It’s only the exceptional guides who get there.”
