ALMOST 10,000 hours of volunteering have been donated by students from South Bromsgrove High School taking on their Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
Statistics show the 9,841 hours given – between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020 – equate to a monetary value of £42,808.
The school, believed to be the largest Duke of Edinburgh’s Award centre in the country, has a long history of participation.
Headteacher Chris Smith said: “We are delighted that we have such community minded young people who willingly give up their time to help others.
“We know that these experiences, along with the rest of their D of E programme, will give them skills that will last a life time.”
Although the Covid-19 crisis meant expeditions could not take place this year, many students have instead been working on their skills during lockdown or helping out family members.
Neil Dixon, D of E director, said: “We are really looking forward to working on expedition skills in the near future, but in the meantime 79 students have been awarded a certificate of achievement as a result of completing the other three sections and we are very proud of these students.”
Across the Central England region, an incredible 596,804 hours of volunteering have been carried out by participants.
This has provided £2,596,097 worth of social value back into local communities across the region.
