Two get Guides' highest honour

AWARD . . . Ciara Harrison and Drew Mason receiving their Baden Powell Challenge Award from Shaw district Commissioner Carrie Boyce

TWO teenagers are guiding lights after becoming the first to receive a special honour.

Ciara Harrison and Drew Mason, both 14, are the first from 14th Oldham Guides to be presented with the Baden Powell Challenge Award - the highest award a Guide can receive.

Shaw District Commissioner Carrie Boyce presented them with their accolades at the Shaw District Thinking Day event last month.

To achieve the accolade they had to gain two challenge badges and at least two interest badges. The Baden Powell Challenge is made up of five zones including healthy lifestyles, global awareness, discovery, skills and relationships and celebrating diversity.

The pair have now moved on to work on their Young Leader qualification with different units.

Ciara and Drew began in Girlguiding as Rainbows and progressed through the Brownie and Guide ranks.

Upon receiving her award, Ciara said: "I really enjoyed a water sports residential to France; I was able to use this to write a report for part of my challenge. I also really enjoyed taking part in the Baden Powell Challenge weekend."

Drew said she was equally inspired by the challenge: "I definitely enjoyed the camp. It was a great way to meet new people and experience challenges with them. It was an amazing way to end my Baden Powell Challenge."

The Baden Powell Challenge Weekend is for Guides who are approaching the end of their journey towards the award. It brings Guides together from across the region and presents them with the opportunities to take part in new activities.

If you want to get involved in Girlguiding visit www.girlguiding.org.uk.