Nominated by their peers for a wide range of individual achievements or contribution to their units, almost 120 Guides and Senior Section members from the boroughs of Kingston, Merton, Richmond and Sutton received awards from the Jack Petchey Foundation last week at an award ceremony in Chessington.

In addition, 14 leaders were also presented with medallions and framed certificates for their outstanding contribution to Girlguiding.

The evening was a noisy, raucous event with groups of girls receiving their awards interspersed by some fantastic entertainment also provided by the girls.

"It was a brilliant night," said one of the Guide award winners.

"Jack Petchey is an amazing man and to think he has given over 65 million pounds away to help the youth in London is incredible. He says 'If you think you can, you can' which is a great thing to remember when you're in a difficult situation."

Almost 500 people including the Mayors of Kingston and Merton, the Deputy Mayor of Richmond and the Deputy Lieutenant for Sutton attended the event and clapped and cheered as each of the girls received their medallions with larger than life compère Lee Thompson egging on the audience to make even more noise clapping, stamping and cheering.

Anne Hudson, region chief commissioner for LaSER (London and South East England Region) and Christine Wicks, county commissioner for Greater London West, both paid tribute the award winners and to the groups and individuals who provided the excellent entertainment.

Girlguiding UK is the UK’s largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women, with around half a million members and recognised volunteers. Over a third of girls and young women (aged 7-21) are involved in guiding, or have been in the past and almost half of all the women in the UK have been involved in guiding at some stage in their lives.

Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Senior Section units enable girls and young women to develop their potential whatever their ability or background. Girlguiding aims to offer new opportunities to a broad diversity of communities through our expanding network of 60,000 trained volunteer Leaders.

At Girlguiding UK we seek to give girls a voice and provide a unique, girl-only space where members feel comfortable just being themselves. Our members, challenged by a girl-led programme that extends beyond badges, enjoy a spectrum of activities from outdoor adventure to pop-concerts to community action.

Girlguiding UK is part of a worldwide Movement of approximately 10 million girls and young women in 145 countries, Registered Charity No: 306016, www.girlguiding.org.uk