Group in DofE party at palace

SOME of the Oldham representatives outside Buckingham Palace

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STAFF and former students from across Oldham attended a star-studded garden party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award.

They were among the 7,000 people who were joined at the event by celebrities and record-breakers including adventurer Ray Mears, actress Anna Friel, Boyzone singer Ronan Keating and astronaut Chris Hadfield.

The celebration for Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) supporters, volunteers and participants was hosted by Prince Philip, who founded the award, and the Count and Countess of Wessex, a trustee and global ambassador for the scheme respectively.

Around 1,000 young people from 26 countries - including six from Oldham - also received their Gold DofE Awards.

DofE organisers from Oldham College, Oldham Sixth Form College and Mahdlo youth centre attended along with those from 14 of the borough's secondary schools: Newman College, Blue Coat, Crompton House, Failsworth, New Bridge, North Chadderton, Oasis, Hulme Grammar, Royton and Crompton, Saddleworth, Hathershaw College, Oldham Academy North, Waterhead Academy and Radclyffe. Each group of visitors was allocated a celebrity, with the Oldham contingent meeting former rugby union player Ben Cohen. He was accompanied by his partner, 'Strictly Come Dancing' star Kristina Rihanoff.

The group also spoke to the Countess of Wessex and Lorna Philip, assistant head teacher at Hathershaw College, said: "It was a lovely day. The sun was shining and we were really proud to be there representing Oldham."

Former students who received their Gold DofE Awards included Oldham Youth mayor Saskia Edwards who attended Hulme Grammar School. The others were Gareth Blair-King (Hulme), Joshua McHale (Blue Coat), Oliver Green (Crompton House) and Jonathan Barker and Jennifer Partington (Oldham Sixth From College).

Young people from 14 to 24 can do the Duke of Edinburgh Award at bronze, silver or gold level. They have to compete in a series of activities including volunteering, learning a new skill and an expedition.

DofE chief executive Peter Westgarth said: "Our diamond anniversary is a remarkable milestone, an opportunity to reflect on the millions of young people's lives that have been transformed by doing their DofE since 1956 and to affirm our ambition to involve millions more in the future."

People of all ages can help DofE celebrate its 60th anniversary.

For more information visit www.DofEDiamondChallenge.org.