We are seeking funding to pay for expedition equipment for our pupils (predominately our deprived/ disadvantaged young people) to use not only during DofE Expeditions, but during some Physical, Skills and Residential sectional activities too. We currently have a small supply of equipment that participants have access to, but with an increase in disadvantaged young people attending our group and our existing kit becoming redundant after constant use, we require a large number of additional items. Equipment items for running DofE sessions can include outdoor equipment (tents, walking boots, sleeping bags, etc.) and expedition food (our journeys can last up to 5 days in duration - food costs are a struggle for many of our participants, particularly the ones who obtain free school meals.
Proposed on behalf of: Ardrossan Academy Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Group has been established for many years. This extra curricular group is aimed at pupils aged 13-18 who are looking to learn more skills, become more physically and mentally active and offer some of their free time to help others in their communities. Some of our participants reside in SIMD 1-3 areas of North Ayrshire and require specific support for some of their sectional activities (e.g. borrowing waterproofs or walking boots for the Expedition section). The group encourages and at times facilitates their involvement in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award within the following four sections (with examples of past or present activities); Volunteering (e.g. helping the community, assisting at the local food bank, etc.), Physical (e.g. football, rugby or gym work), Skills (e.g. learning a musical instrument, cookery/ bakery, etc.) and Expedition (preparing for and undertaking an adventurous journey by foot, bike, kayak or canoe).
Most voted