Pears Foundation Help JLGB to Achieve Record Number of Gold DofE Awards
JLGB was extremely proud to have seven Gold participants attend a special garden party at Buckingham Palace in May to receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE), Award.
The day was an especially historic moment because it was Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh’s final Gold Award presentation before he retires after a lifetime of public service. His vision to create the Award has given young people across the globe the tools they need to achieve in life. The success of his Award is astronomical and is now the world’s leading achievement award for young people. JLGB are immensely thankful to Prince Phillip and are proud to have been providing Kosher DofE since the very inception of the Award, over 60 years ago. Through the Kosher DofE provision, JLGB has empowered thousands of Jewish young people across the country.
At the garden party, Award holders were delighted that Gold medal Paralympian, David Smith told his inspirational story before presenting and congratulating JLGB Gold participants: Sam Adler, Sheina Kaye, Calvin Caplan, Luke Levine, Max Bronstein James Alexander and Harry Frohlich.
Following the garden party, Gold Award holder Sam Adler (age 18) said “Thanks to the opportunities JLGB has given me, I spent the most amazing afternoon in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. I got to speak to HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex and then we heard the incredible story of Paralympian David Smith. This has truly been a day to remember!”
Kosher DofE with JLGB would not be possible without the tremendous support of the Pears Foundation. Their generosity has enabled Jewish young people of all abilities and backgrounds to complete this esteemed Award through JLGB, for which we cannot express our gratitude enough. JLGB was delighted to see this year’s Queens Birthday Honours named Trevor Pears with a much deserved knighthood for services to philanthropy. All of us at JLGB would like to extend our mazel tov to Sir Trevor and thank him and everyone at the Foundation for their continued support.
Completing any level of DofE is an outstanding achievement but completing Gold is truly exceptional. In order to achieve their Gold DofE, our participants have spent 6 months refining a unique skill and got active to complete their physical section, one of which they dedicated 12 months to while also spending 12 months giving back to society by volunteering. In addition to these commitments, our participants spent 5 days on a residential with people they had previously not known and trekked up Snowdonia on a four day expedition. Through these sections, our Gold participants have equipped themselves with invaluable life skills such as teamwork, first aid, how to act in an emergency and the importance of helping others. This, together with the mind set of believing anything is possible and continuously challenging yourself, makes DofE a catalyst to future success. It is therefore no surprise that Gold DofE is valued so highly by universities and employers.
Gold participant Luke Levine said “I never thought that I would finish my Bronze, now I am at Buckingham Palace to collect my Gold. If I can do that then I can do anything.”
Register your interest to start your Bronze, Silver of Gold DofE in the next academic year at www.jlgb.org/dofe
