One hundred and fifteen guides from Girl Guiding Greater London West were presented with prestigious Jack Petchey Achievement Awards at a special ceremony on Thursday 19th April held at the Kings Centre, Chessington.

Girl Guiding Greater London West covers an area south and west of London and comprises the Boroughs of Kingston, Merton, Richmond, and Sutton. The County has 10 divisions covering Cheam, Kingston and Malden, Merton, Mitcham, Richmond, Surbiton, Sutton, Twickenham, Wallington and Wimbledon.

The event honoured Achievement award winners aged 11-25 who received medallions to go with their framed certificate. The winners have already each been presented with a cheque for £200 and have chosen how to spend their prize money mainly on extra resources and equipment.

“These awards are not given for academic excellence or for achieving a qualification but for doing things to the best of their ability and the girls are nominated by their peers which makes them even more special,” said Christine Wicks, Girlguiding County Commissioner for Greater London West.

Fourteen adults were also recognised with Leader Awards for having demonstrated, in an outstanding way, an ability to motivate young people. The Leader award winners received a medallion and a framed certificate.

The presentation of awards was interspersed by entertainment items again provided by the girls and included dance, singing and a clarinet medley showing the excellent, diverse skills of the girls.

VIPs attending included Pip McKerrow, Chief Commissioner, Girlguiding London and South East England who said “It has been a spectacular evening, celebrating the achievements of so many girls and young women from across the Greater London West County. I am very proud of all the Achievement Award winners and wish them every success as they go forward.”

Based on information supplied by Steve Wicks.