A BRIDGWATER ranger has been been presented with Somerset's first-ever gold award.
Kimberley Wheadon of the 1st Bridgwater Rangers group has received the gold award after being a member for four years.
She achieved the accolade while studying towards her A levels and being enrolled as a cadet.
Rangers are the Girlguiding groups for girls aged 14-18. Members are encouraged to travel, learn leadership skills, find their voices, and build their CVs.
To achieve the gold award, rangers must complete the programme's six themes (Know Myself, Express Myself, Be Well, Have Adventures, Take Action, and Skills For My Future) and complete a final challenge.
There are also bronze awards (two themes) and silver awards (four themes).
The awards teach rangers how to take action to improve the world, become adventurous, take part in sport, and develop self-care skills.
The 1st Bridgwater Rangers group has been supported by a grant from Homes in Sedgemoor's Making a Difference Fund.
The grant has helped the group pay for venue hire and the equipment the rangers need to complete their skills awards.
A Homes in Sedgemoor spokesperson said: “The Making a Difference Fund was created to help develop estates and the environment with projects that benefit the community, for example, recycling schemes and ecological projects that will not only help the environment but will bring communities together.
“The fund was also founded to help improve life chances and to create communities with local projects such as play schemes and volunteering opportunities with support for families in the community.”
Applicants can apply for up to £500 from the fund, and they can reapply for funding for new projects after 12 months.
Applications will be considered for approval on February 27, June 27, and November 27 every year.
Interim approvals may be conducted, so applicants are encouraged to submit applications before those dates.
The Homes in Sedgemoor housing association looks after homes owned by Sedgemoor District Council on its behalf.
You can find out more about its Making a Difference Fund by visiting www.homesinsedgemoor.org/article/4410/Making-a-Difference-Fund-Applications.
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