Four Carlisle teens have been given their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards by TV adventurer Ray Mears.
Kieran Grehan, Peter Mullins, Marcell Kiss and Callum Logan all have autism and took part in a scheme provided by Penrith-based, countywide autism charity, The Triple A Project.
Triple A is the only UK autism charity to have a dedicated Duke of Edinburgh registration.
The teenagers completed the award by volunteering and trekking in the Lake District and North Cumbria. Their qualifying expedition included an overnight camp and two walks of 10km and 13km along the old Keswick-Penrith Railway Route.
It was the first time under canvas for most of them.
Ray told them that they had ‘joined a very special club and ‘they should be very proud of themselves and that the award they had received was highly regarded and could be worth more than a lifetime of school work.
Kieron said he was very proud of the award and would like to do it again.
Marcell said he had volunteered to do shopping for people as part of the project and was now confident to go shopping on his own.
Sheila Gregor, Triple A chair, said: “I am immensely proud of the young men and the Triple A volunteers and staff who made the awards possible.
“Young people with autism are often discouraged from mainstream activities as others believe they won’t be able to cope. Because they were given appropriate support the young people were able to achieve these awards in grand style.”
