Hundreds of young achievers from across the UK have a date in the prestigious setting of St James’ Palace later this year, including a young woman from Methwold.

In recognition of Sarah Douglass’ achievements in completing her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, she will travel to London on October 26 to be presented with her certificate by the Earl of Wessex.

Miss Douglass attended Thetford Grammar School where she was given the opportunity to begin the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award scheme.

Having completed bronze and silver, she worked through the five sections of her DofE Gold programme over several years to achieve her Gold Award.

Her diverse activities included a five-day expedition to the Yorkshire Dales for her practice journey, followed by a five-day qualifying expedition to the Yorkshire Moors, singing lessons for the skills section, competing in a sports team, volunteering in a pre-school setting and stewarding at the York Early Music Festival for the residential project.

Throughout the DofE sections, Miss Douglass was assessed to be well organised, motivated, reliable, enthusiastic and determined to succeed. She said: “The expeditions were gruelling in terms of the physical demands but they were one of the best things that I have ever done.

“The experience and sense of achievement they provided, together with the firm friendships which I developed can not be matched.

“Other sections of the award encouraged me to participate in, and persevere with activities which I may have never otherwise undertaken. Completing the award helped me to gain knowledge and improve my skills and self-confidence.”

She went on: “The singing lessons I took while at school helped me to secure a place at York University where I read music and playing sport as a member of my University College team proved challenging but rewarding.

“Working as a volunteer at the York Early Music Festival was an uplifting experience and it was lovely to be able to work with like minded people. It was a great opportunity to meet and hear a number of incredibly talented musicians over the course of the festival week.”

After leaving the University of York, Miss Douglass completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at University of East Anglia in Norwich.

Subsequently, she has taken up a position as an Early Years teacher and has just completed her first year.