Adventurous Coombe Girls’ School student Harriet Owens has seen hours of map reading through muddy countryside and chilly nights in tents pay off, after being presented the gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at St James’ Palace recently.

The plucky pupil received her award from Wasps rugby star Tom French, and won admiration from the Duke himself, when she collected her prize among the splendour of the palace throne room.

Miss Owens was quick to praise the scheme for 14 to 25-year-olds, which has about 275,000 participants in the UK at any time.

She said: “I think it is a brilliant scheme which is massively beneficial to individuals and the community.

“The expeditions are hugely enjoyable and give you a great sense of achievement as well as many humorous stories to tell and reminisce over at a later date.

“I would really like to mention how grateful I am to Coombe for giving the opportunity to us to get involved as so many schools do not offer the gold award.

“The staff at Coombe have all been brilliant and really dedicated and encouraging, especially with regards to the organisation of the gold expeditions, so I would really like to extend my appreciation to them.”

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