The trailblazing group was chosen for the award by This is Youth judge and special forces veteran and SAS: Who Dares Wins star, Jason Fox after planning an exciting and dynamic event, which was attended by more than one thousand people.

This is Youth recognises and celebrates the amazing stories behind The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Kilsyth DofE Group won the award for planning and delivering an extraordinary event that celebrated the achievements of over 350 DofE participants from across North Lanarkshire – inspiring more young people to take on their own DofE challenge.  

Robert Sloan, North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) DofE Worker, said: “When we approached this group of young people to assist in the hosting of NLC’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award celebration - the first major face-to-face event since Covid-19 lockdowns, they not only accepted this challenge but requested to become involved in the full planning, delivery and hosting!

“The result was a flawless delivery and it being judged a huge success by those in attendance and across social media. And many other young people have been inspired to commence their DofE journey”. 

Members of the Kilsyth DofE Group are Aadam Bacai, Lana Campbell, Sarah Coggins, Eilidh Potter, Sophia Rowson and Grace Smith, all 16, from Cumbernauld, Jack Duncan and Gregor Main, both 16, from Kilsyth, Abbie French, 15, from Cumbernauld, Anthony McVay, 15, from Kilsyth.

Special forces veteran and SAS: Who Dares Wins star Jason Fox, who judged the All-stars of the Year category, said: “I had a very humbling time reading through the nominations for this award and it was extremely difficult to separate them to a point where we would have a standout few. However, Kilsyth DofE Group really does deserve to be recognised.

“Just reading their nominations on how they pulled together, and pushed aside differences and difficulties to achieve the goals they wanted, whether planned or not was both motivating and inspiring. Because of these stories I am truly proud to of been a part of this panel. Well done to you all!"   

Councillor Angela Campbell, Convener of Education, Children and Families, said: "This award is well-deserved, and everyone involved with the group should be rightly proud of winning such a prestigious national accolade - congratulations to everyone in the Kilsyth Duke of Edinburgh Award team."

The awards showcase young people and the adults who support them in doing what they do best: rising above today’s challenges and making their mark on the world, their way. Each DofE journey is unique – and every person will be making a difference.