Six air cadets from 1220 (March) Squaron received their gold Duke of Edinburgh award certificates during a ceremony at St James’s Palace in London.
Flight Sergeant Katie Mowatt said: “It is an amazing achievement and going to the palace made all the hard work worth it.
“The day was very special and I was glad my dad was there to share it with me.”
To gain the award, the cadets took on volunteering duties for 12 months which included representing the Air Training Corps at community events as well learning a new physical skill in table tennis, studying aeronautics, playing an instrument in a band and leaning marksmanship skills.
For the residential element, some of the cadets travelled to Cyprus and spent time learning about Royal Air Force operations overseas.
All six cadets also completed a four-day expedition in the Lake District, where they used their navigation and teamwork skill.
At the palace, HRH the Earl of Wessex spoke with the successful candidates and certificates were presented by Mike Bannister who was the chief pilot on concorde. He also gave a talk about his time on concorde.
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