MORE than 200 local schoolchildren are being celebrated for their work within their schools and communities.

The City of Southampton Civic Awards to Young People, which now celebrates its 31st year, is a preliminary to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, awarding children who take part in school and community activities.

At a ceremony at St Mark’s Church in Woolston on Saturday (October 1), the third of four taking place, students from schools outside of Southampton were given a certificate and congratulated by founder Roy Honeybone.

Another ceremony has also taken place in Southampton Civic Centre with city mayor Cathie McEwingEwing.

So far students from Charlton, St Deny’s, Foundry Lane, Bitterne CoE, Lee-on-the-Solent, Liphook, St Lawrence and Peel Common schools have been congratulated for their efforts.

Overall 220 students from the county will be awarded the commendation.

The scheme, thought up by Roy while teaching in Germany back in the 1960s, awards pupils who undertake a minimum period of service both to their school and to the local community; participate in two hobbies, one physical, one non-physical; and participate in a 24-hour adventure training activity.

The idea was to introduce the pupils to activities that would lead them on to the DoE Award.

He said he was inspired by his experience of the DoE Award when he was a teenager.

Shortly after embarking on a teaching career in primary education he felt that many younger children would be willing to get involved in something similar.

After some initial contact with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Committee it was agreed that the idea had potential.

Roy said: “I originally started up a scheme at Forces Schools in Germany and I brought it back with me to Mansbridge School when I was appointed to the deputy headship.

"For two years it was the Mansbridge Award until formally adopted by the Ccity in 1985.”

He added: “The children were all very pleased to receive their certificates. They; they all worked very hard for it as this is not a giveaway award.”

Mr Honeybone said he hoped the children will now look to take part in the DoE award when it opens to them at the age of 14.

The next awards evening, which that will feature the Mayor of Southampton Cllr Cathie McEwing, is to take place on next Saturday (Oct 8) at St Mark’s Church.

This will award students from Sarisbury and Curdridge schools.