THE Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme began in 1956. It is dedicated to the personal development of young people from all backgrounds. The scheme has helped more than four million people in the UK and on its 50th anniversary in 2006 was awarded Royal Charter status by Her Majesty the Queen.
The scheme has been operating in Darlington for 23 years and touches the lives of around 600 young people every year, via the Open Award Centre at Eastbourne and the various schools within the borough that also operate the scheme.
It is organised on a part-time basis by Judy Bowerbank and a willing band of team leaders who give up their time to deliver bronze, silver and gold programmes throughout the year.
Now Darlington Borough Council, as part of its shortsighted cost cutting programme, has decided to cancel the award scheme. The total cost savings, including the basic annual grant the scheme gets, would barely cover the wages of a low level council worker.
This scheme is a beacon within the borough and it would be a travesty to cancel it.
I believe that the young people of Darlington deserve rather more than to be left to fend for themselves.
Robin Rutherford, Darlington.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here