Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards students at Derwen College received a generous financial boost from members of Oswestry’s three Masonic Lodges.

St Oswald Lodge, Fitz Alan Lodge and Cae Glas Lodge worked together to raise £2,000 to support students at the specialist college in Gobowen.  The money will help to fund students at the college for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, providing equipment, transport and support for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards (DofE) expeditions.

Cae Glas Lodge made a donation of £1,000, and St. Oswald Lodge and Fitz Alan Lodge made a donation of £500 each to the college. The money will be used to fund the students to go on expeditions and residential activities which are part of the award challenge. Expeditions include students navigating their way through the Snowdonia Mountains and taking part in residential activities such as canoeing, rock climbing, and abseiling on the shores of Lake Coniston in the Lake District.

Derwen College has a very successful Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards programme. Last year, 60 learners from the college completed their awards at Bronze, Silver or Gold. This year, the college is well on the way to equally great achievements.

Pete Adams, Secretary of Cae Glas Lodge, said that the three lodges felt it was important to work together to support Derwen College students.

He said: “It’s great that the Lodges can work together to support such an important initiative in the community. Talking to students, it is clear that they gain so much from their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards experience. We love to hear their stories of challenges and adventure.”

Steve Evans, Sports Coordinator at Derwen College said: “We are very proud of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards programme we run at Derwen College. The level of commitment needed from the students, their parents and college staff is immense; without the continued generous financial support of groups such as the Masonic Lodges, paying for the equipment, away days and transport would be incredibly difficult.”

Pictured: Derwen College Sports and Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards Co-ordinator Steve Evans, and students Daniel Fitzroy-Ezzy, Max Marek and Adam Ffoulkes Fenner thanked Shropshire Masons David Towers, Pete Adams, Rick Gerard, Walwyn Edwards and Greg Hickman for their support.