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Award puts wind in their sails


Published on Tuesday 23 June 2009 16:47

SOUTH Tyneside youngsters were given the Royal seal of approval when they sailed off with an award from Prince Edward.

The seven teenagers are part of the Neet (Not in Employment, Education or Training) project run by Simonside Youth Initiative Centre.

The project helps young people not in education, employment or training to build their confidence and skills.

As well as boosting their chances of getting a job by learning new skills, the group takes part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

The seven were invited to Hartlepool on Monday to compete against three other teams of Duke of Edinburgh Award hopefuls in a regatta.

The team – the Neet Pirates – donned skull and crossbone caps for the bell boat race and certainly proved the scourge of the seas when it raced past finish line first and was presented an award by Prince Edward.

Neet project co-ordinator Liz McHugh said: "They were chuffed to bits and I was really proud of them.

"They worked brilliantly together as a team. Only the winners got to

meet Prince Edward, so they were determined to have fun and win.

"He was lovely with them as well. I never thought I'd meet a Prince while dressed in soggy tracksuit bottoms and with wet hair."

Ms McHugh works closely with Martin Simpson, the Simonside youth centre manager to make sure all the kids who take part in the Neet project get the chance to earn a Duke of Edinburgh Award as well.

Mr Simpson said: "I thought they represented themselves and the project very well. They've done themselves proud."

For more information about the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, log on to www.dofe.org.


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