Walberton Guides honoured with top accolade

Delighted Kirsty Bailey, Lorna Thurgood and Megan Warren-Davis, all aged 14, have been presented with the prestigious Baden-Powell Challenge award – the highest accolade a Guide can achieve.

The three are the first girls in the village unit to have received the title in more than 10 years.

They had to complete a challenging schedule of volunteer work and projects as part of their mandatory 10 Guiding “clauses” required for the award.

From organising a party for Brownies in Barnham and setting up a multi-cultural event for other Guides, to taking part in the Baden-Powell Adventure weekend, the girls took a hands-on approach to the task.

The honour was presented by their district commissioner Sue Callander.

Walberton Guide leader, Sarah Burford, said: “Guiding as a hobby has to compete with many other interests and activities and many girls find it difficult to continue after their 12th birthday due to the pressures of school work.

“Kirsty, Lorna and Megan have shown real commitment to achieving their goal and have motivated each other along the way.

“It is been very rewarding watching them grow in confidence over the years.

“They have grabbed every opportunity open to them with great enthusiasm. We are very sorry to see them go, but wish them every success in the future.”