Michael Moore and Louis Taylor strike gold with a special invitation to Buckingham Palace

Michael Moore and Louis Taylor

Michael Moore and Louis Taylor, from Rochdale, were two of 1,000 young people from across the UK invited to celebrate the Diamond Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) and attend a Gold Award Presentation at Buckingham Palace.

Both attended Oulder Hill Community School and then Rochdale Sixth Form College achieving bronze and silver at school and then Gold at the Sixth Form College. They worked tirelessly through five sections of their DofE programme.

The pair received their Gold DofE Award from Ben Cohen and had the opportunity to share their experiences with HRH The Countess of Wessex at the event on 16 May.

Speaking about his experience of the DofE, and the excitement of being part of the Buckingham Palace event, Michael said: “I couldn’t believe it, HRH The Countess of Wessex was so interested in all of our stories and to see so many celebrities on the day was a truly once in a lifetime event.”

Members of the Royal Family, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH The Earl of Wessex and HRH The Countess of Wessex, congratulated those that were present including young Gold Award achievers, organisations that deliver the DofE and special guests such as corporate supporters and DofE Diamond Challengers, who have set themselves a personal challenge to raise money for the DofE Charity in its anniversary year.

Peter Westgarth, Chief Executive of the DofE Charity said: “What these young Gold Award holders have achieved is extraordinary. For a significant period of time they have given back to their communities, broadened their interests and equipped themselves with the attributes and skills that will open doors to opportunity and enable them to make the most of their lives. Our Diamond Anniversary has provided a great Royal occasion to celebrate their accomplishments and we wish them every success for the future.”