TO mark the 60-year anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, young people across the country have been embarking on a challenge set by themselves to raise funds that will enable more vulnerable young people to have the opportunity to benefit from the scheme.

Joining them were two DofE Young Ambassadors for Hampshire Scouting – Chloe Foster, 18, from Alton, and Sophie Boud, 18, from Ash, near Aldershot, who have recently undertaken a ‘Diamond’ challenge which not only raised £175 toward the cause but has also hopefully inspired other young people with disabilities to ‘have a go’.

Their mission was to raise awareness that both the Scouting movement and DofE scheme are open to all people, despite their disability.

Chloe has certain medical conditions that caused her difficulties while completing her DofE challenges, but the organisation made adjustments to help her through.

Together, the girls embarked on a weekend of walking around the New Forest, to test various disabilities. They began the challenge by walking on crutches, followed by a day of no speaking and no hearing, finishing the day with the two Scouts pushing each other in a wheelchair.

On the third day, they took it in turns to be blindfolded, which meant putting a lot of trust in one other. They finished the challenge walking three-legged which, said Chloe, “became interesting when we disagreed on the route!”.

During their expedition, the girls were visited by Hampshire county commissioner Adam Jollans, Michael Baxter (assistant county commissioner for DofE and the Queen’s Scout Award), and Colin Floyd (assistant county commissioner for Network), who helped them find some “amazing” accommodation for the weekend at Wilverley Cottage.

Chloe said: “These visits encouraged us to carry on in our challenge. The biggest encouragement and support came from our support member, Tom Ralph, who brought us hot tea and biscuits during the challenge and stayed with us over the weekend ensuring the fire stayed alight!”

She continued: “We have come to realise the challenges which come with having a disability. We worked hard over the weekend to complete the challenge and showed what can be achieved through determination and team work.

“Scouting is an organisation which accepts all young people no matter what their disability and we would love for more people to feel they have the ability to complete their DofE.”

n Chloe Foster comes from Alton and is currently studying for her level three diploma in animal management at Sparsholt College. She started Scouting as a Beaver Scout at the age of six and has continued to be part of the Scouting organisation through all the different sections and is currently a member of Network. She is in the middle of her training to be a volunteer leader for the Beaver and Cub sections of the 8th Alton Scout Group.

Chloe has completed her bronze and silver DofE with Hampshire Scouting, and is in the process of completing her gold award alongside her Queen Scout Award.

When the opportunity arose to take part in the Diamond challenge, she jumped at it. She has, she says, “loved completing both DofE awards” which she believes have “developed my will power to achieve and complete a challenge, and have also developed my ability to work well in a team”.

According to Chloe, she has stayed within the Scouting organisation because of “the great opportunities” it presents, such as the opportunity to go to Japan for the international jamboree, and because of “the strong connections and friendships made with other people of my own age and the ability to be completely myself”.

n Sophie Boud comes from Ash, near Aldershot, and is in the first year of a part-time degree in youth mission and ministry, working alongside a placement in youth ministry at a church in Busbridge.

She joined the Scouting organisation at the age of 14 when she became an Explorer Scout. She joined because of the opportunity for adventure and meeting more people of her own age. The 14th Aldershot Beavers have benefitted from Sophie as their young leader and she is now doing her training to be a volunteer leader for the same group.

According to Sophie, “DofE has been a large part of developing my determination and showing me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it”.

She has completed both her bronze and silver DofE and is working toward her gold award alongside her Queen Scout Award.

Sophie enjoys Scouting and DofE because it is “a great opportunity to spend time with friends and learn about myself”.