
Duke of Edinburgh says awards mark ‘pride and success' in youth achievements
On Friday, the Palace of Holyroodhouse's gardens were transformed into a festival-style party, with games, food stalls, and various activities as around 600 gold award winners celebrated their achievements.
Attendees heard from famous Scots including Olympic runner Eilish McColgan, singer Nathan Evans, and actor James Cosmo.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who received his own award from his father, Prince Philip, in 1986, gave a speech and told attendees: 'It's really good to see you all here today, and particularly, congratulations to each and every one of you who have managed to achieve your gold DofE.
'This is for you, this is our recognition and celebration of your achievements. I hope that today is an excellent day for you and a real celebration for that.'
Referring back to his youth when he began working towards his own award, he joked: 'I hope the experience of doing your award was a good one, that it was enjoyable. I'm guessing there were probably times when you were wondering why you were doing it, and if it was anything like mine that was probably about halfway through the expedition!'
He added: 'But it's a great feeling when you get to the end and it's that feeling of pride and success in your achievement that we want to celebrate today and we want to capture.'
Olympian and British and European record holder, Eilish McColgan, delivered a speech alongside Nerea Winchester, 18, from Glasgow, who celebrated her own gold award achievement.
Ms McColgan said: 'There are many similarities between the DofE and my athletics club. Not just in the obvious areas like hard work and discipline, but that sense of community. Being surrounded by likeminded individuals, all striving to make themselves better.
'In 2011, I ran in my first ever live televised race. Dreaming of qualifying for the world championships. But with 600m to go. I heard a pop. I knew instantly I'd broken my foot. But me being me, and a typical stubborn Scot, I wasn't going to let a broken foot stop me. I kept running.
'Sadly, it wasn't the fairytale ending. Finishing the race came at a cost. A few days later the surgeon told me I'd never run professionally again but suggested I could 'hobby jog'. It was one of the toughest moments of my life, but like many of you on your DofE journeys, I'd learned the value of resilience, of showing up, and of not giving up when things get hard.
'I think if I didn't have my friends from the running club to distract me, my recovery would have looked very different. Instead, I really leant on my support network. Even when I couldn't run, I'd still go down to the track just to keep my motivation high. I truly believe that made a huge difference.'
Nerea, also a DofE youth ambassador, volunteered for Oxfam for three years as part of the work towards earning her award.
She said: 'Through my DofE sections, I found groups and niches of people who not only accepted my chatty, loud self, but embraced it fully. Without meeting these people through the DofE, I can't guarantee I would feel confident enough to unapologetically be myself.
'DofE gave me a purpose in life and let me express my creativity like never before. I never felt I was good at art or capable of creating it.
'However, when I picked up knitting for my DofE Skills section, I found an amazing creative outlet. It was challenging, but I learned to trust the process and, in doing so, built my resilience as well as rediscovering my creativity.'
Speaking before he gave a speech to those attending, actor James Cosmo told the PA News Agency: 'If you are a parent listening out there, or a young person, you should really think about doing the DofE award.
'No matter what your circumstance is, there's something there to suit you and your future career, for your personal development, nothing beats it, it's fantastic.'
He added: 'These people go through the bronze, silver and then gold and so a lot of the time they're doing voluntary work, nobody's paying much attention to them, they're just getting on with it and showing the dedication and stick ability.
'So it's nice at the end of it all, to recognise the effort they've made when clearly there was nobody there to cheer them on. They did it.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NBC News
20 minutes ago
- NBC News
Joey Chestnut versus Usain Bolt? Debate over who would win challenge goes viral
In a race between Joey Chestnut and Usain Bolt, who could eat a hot dog then run a 100-meter dash faster? Professional athletes and hot dog-eating contest fans alike are divided as the new hypothetical scenario goes viral on social media. In a TikTok video posted by the official account for the PGA Tour, professional golfers were asked whether the nationally recognized competitive eater would beat the eight-time Olympic gold medalist sprinter in the proposed race. Without hesitation, Max Homa responded to the hypothetical, 'Oh, Joey Chestnut, I think.' Later in the clip, he explained that he believes Chestnut could likely run 100 meters in less than 20 seconds, adding, 'I'm hard pressed that I could eat a hot dog in 20 seconds. Yeah, I'm going Joey Chestnut.' At first, Jordan Spieth locked in Bolt before asking how quickly Chestnut can eat a hot dog. (In this year's Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, Chestnut was once again crowned winner, consuming 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.) After questioning some of the logistics of the race — like whether the hot dog would be consumed at the starting line, which could lead to a head start for Chestnut, Spieth decided on the sprinter. 'I'm going with who can run faster because I think a hot dog can get wolfed down pretty quick,' he said, before posing an alternative. 'Now, if you said, '10 hot dogs and then run,' when does it even out?' 'Joey Chestnut would smoke him at 10 (hot dogs before running),' Spieth added. 'I think even two might be close.' Saheeth Theegala reasoned that 'even if Joey runs a 15-second 100-meter,' the golfer still felt Chestnut would win. 'I think Usain, even if he eats (the hot dog) as fast as he could and swallows it, I don't see him eating it in under 8, 10 seconds,' he said, adding his final consensus is that Bolt finishing an entire hot dog will take longer than Chestnut's ability to run 100 meters. Amid much internal debate and in-depth analysis, the pro golfers landed fairly divided over who would win the competition — ever so slightly favoring Chestnut. And the comment section under the TikTok video equally entertained the proposition. 'Joey is taking this without a doubt,' one user wrote. 'Do you people have any idea the amount of calories that Usain Bolt has to eat to maintain his performance level? He could put down a single hot (dog) pretty ... quick I imagine,' another argued. While some found it wild to compare the Olympic medalist widely regarded as 'the fastest man in history' to the 17-time champion of Nathan's July Fourth competitive eating contest, some still theorized Chestnut would take home the gold this time around. Other comments simply marveled at the 'phenomenal question' itself, with one user writing, 'that's the greatest hypothetical ever.' 'Whoever came up with this question deserves a raise,' another wrote.


Daily Mirror
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Wimbledon star forgets score & tries to play on after winning Centre Court debut
Mirra Andreeva became the youngest woman to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 18 years as she breezed into round four with a straight sets destruction of world No.10 Emma Navarro Mirra Andreeva's stunning Centre Court debut ended in bizarre fashion when she forgot the score and did not realise she had won the match. The Russian teenager became the youngest woman to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 18 years by breezing through round four with a rapid 6-2 6-3 win over world No.10 Emma Navarro. But an unaware Andreeva was so focused on her performance – and trying not to look at Roger Federer in the Royal Box – she lined up to face another Navarro serve, rather than celebrate converting match point. With her American opponent waiting at the net to shake hands, the 18-year-old briefly looked bemused before jogging in from the baseline, to the amusement of spectators. Andreeva laughed off the incident in her on-court interview. She said: 'I kept telling myself I'm not the one who is up on the score, I am the one who is down. That helped me to stay focused and in the end I completely forgot the score. 'I'm happy that I did it because I think I would have been three times more nervous on a match point.' READ MORE: Andy Murray slams Wimbledon decision as Jannik Sinner vs Grigor Dimitrov match abandoned READ MORE: Jannik Sinner gives brutal verdict after Grigor Dimitrov retires in tears at Wimbledon Aside from the humorous mix-up, Andreeva suffered no hiccups as she emphatically stayed on course to emulate coach Conchita Martinez – the 1994 Wimbledon champion. She blitzed Navarro to clinch the opening set in just 33 minutes and, despite being broken twice in the second, was not unduly troubled. Aged 18 years and 75 days, Andreeva is exactly the same age as Czech player Nicole Vaidisova was when she progressed to the last eight in 2007. 'It is something crazy,' she said, after setting up a meeting with Belinda Bencic with victory in 75 minutes. 'I was super nervous before playing for the first time on Centre Court. 'I really tried my best not to look over there in the box because I knew as soon as I would look there I would completely lose my focus. I saw Roger and (his wife) Mirka and it means a lot that you came and watched my match. It has been one of my dreams to see you in real life.' Earlier, Bencic blew five match points on her own serve before bouncing back to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. The 2021 Olympic champion also saved three break points in a captivating ninth game of the second set against Ekaterina Alexandrova. Russian 18th seed Alexandrova eventually broke to prolong the Court One contest but Bencic responded immediately to progress 7-6 (4) 6-4. 'For you guys it was entertaining but for me it was a big stress,' Bencic said on court. 'It was a difficult moment. I always got stuck in the fourth round. It was so important for me to breakthrough to the quarter-finals. It's a dream come true.' Bencic's best run in SW19 comes after she missed last year's Championships due to the birth of daughter Bella in April 2024. 'We did an amazing job coming back,' said the 28-year-old Swiss player. 'It's amazing to share the memories together as a family. I'm enjoying it more. I juggle it like every mum does.' Five-time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek cruised through to her second Wimbledon quarter-final. The Polish world number four began with successive double faults before defeating Danish 23rd seed Clara Tauson 6-4 6-1. 'Even though the beginning was pretty shaky with the double faults, I managed to play well and solid,' she said. 'I'm not sure if Clara felt well, she said at night she was sick so hopefully she's going to have a fast recovery. 'It's the first time I enjoyed London – sorry guys, I always loved it! We're tennis players. We feel well off the court when we feel well on the court. This year I feel I can just play my game and hopefully it's going to last as long as possible.' Russian world No.19 Liudmila Samsonova awaits Swiatek after she beat unseeded 22-year-old Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7-5 7-5.


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside notorious Scots gangster's glitzy night backstage at Oasis cosying up to Noel Gallagher & massive BBC star
GNAGSTER Robert Kelbie has been snapped cosying up to Oasis stars and A-listers backstage at the Britpop legends' huge reunion gigs in Cardiff this week. The playboy Scots fraudster. 41. wore a VIP pass and a wide grin in the brazen snap shared on Instagram. 7 Robert Kelbie brazenly shared pics of himself hobnobbing backstage with Noel Gallagher 7 The gangster with former Doctor Who star Matt Smith 7 Kelbie, who is living it up as a boxing promoter, with Oasis guitarist Gem Archer He brazenly shared pics of himself hobnobbing backstage with Noel Gallagher, Oasis guitarist Gem Archer, and former Doctor Who star Matt Smith. And in veiled dig at rivals - he posted video of himself at the gig on Instagram to the soundtrack of the Oasis hit Stay Young which includes the lyrics: 'Stay young and invincible, come what may we're unstoppable.' Kelbie, now living it up as a flashy boxing promoter, is no stranger to the high life and is a known enemy of caged cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson, 38. Richardson is currently behind bars, while his allies - including the feared Daniel Clan - are in a bloody turf war with Dubai-based Ross 'Miami' McGill and a group known as Tamo Junto. 7 Kelbie, now living it up as a flashy boxing promoter is a known enemy of caged cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson (pictured) Credit: SCOTTISH SUN 7 Dubai-based Ross 'Miami' McGill is waging war on Mark Richardson and his associates Sources say Kelbie is revelling in the carnage ripping through his rival's empire. A rival hit out: 'Kelbie makes out that he's some sort of socialite and pals with the Gallagher brothers and most of these people won't know his past. 'He's an enemy of Mark Richardson and will be loving all the violence that's been directed towards his empire in Edinburgh. 'Kelbie and his crew swig champagne in the VIP area and try to legitimise himself by being a boxing promoter but if some of these stars Googled who they were posing for pictures with then they might think twice about it.' McGill, an ex-Rangers ultras chief, is now living in the UAE but was left raging after fake cash was used in a £500,000 drugs deal. Hundreds gather for double funeral of slain Scots gangsters Eddie Lyons Jr & Ross Monaghan He ordered blade attacks, shootings and firebombings across the Central Belt sparking a seemingly unstoppable gang feud. Kelbie - who was once filmed being floored by a rival more than a decade younger in a bareknuckle building site scrap - has links to fugitive Irish kingpin and ex-fight promoter Daniel Kinahan. He fled his home at Ratho Station, Edinburgh, in 2016 after it was blasted by Gerard Docherty, 45 — who was caged for 10½ years in 2018 alongside Richardson and other members of a £200million supergang. His appearance back stage at the Oasis gig is not the first time Kelbie has been seen in the company of the rich and famous. He's close pals with Tyson Fury, and even gave the champ, 35, a tour of Scotland last year — stopping off in trendy Edinburgh bars and taking in the sights. He's also been seen posing backstage with Noel Gallagher on other occasions. 7 Robert Kelbie has previously been pictured with Tyson Fury 7 Kelbie has been pictured alongside footie legend Sir Alex Ferguson Kelbie's celeb selfie stash also includes shots with Sir Alex Ferguson, 82, Wayne Rooney, and boxing legend Mike Tyson. His latest social media spree shows him mingling backstage as Oasis kicked off their hotly-anticipated reunion tour — but not everyone's impressed by his A-list antics. The gangster's red carpet lifestyle comes as Scotland's gangland war explodes, with two men arrested in connection with firebombings and attempted murder. The busts bring the total arrests to 52 as cops ramp up their crackdown on the on the escalating gang feud across the central belt. In a feared revenge for the gang war focusing on the Daniel and Richardson empires, the execution of two members of the rival Lyons group of hoods was ordered in Spain. Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were shot dead as they watched the Champions League final in Monaghan's Irish Bar in the resort of Fuengirola. We told how hundreds of mourners gathered on Friday for their double funeral. Lyons, 46, and Monaghan, 43, were laid to rest by loved-ones in a joint ceremony just over one month after they were gunned down. The solemn occasion comes days after we revealed authorities in Spain handed over the pair's bodies to relatives to be repatriated to Scotland. More than 500 friends, family and underworld figures gathered at Bishopbriggs Crematorium in north Glasgow to show respect to Monaghan and Lyons Jnr - son of Godfather Eddie, 67, and brother of Dubai-based mob boss Steven Lyons, 44.