YEARS of hard work and dedication have paid off for a young woman from Anglesey who recently collected her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at St James’s Palace.

20-year-old Lowri Turner from Llangefni started working towards gaining the coveted award with the Anglesey County Council’s Youth Service in 2011.

She attended weekly meetings at Plas Arthur Leisure Centre and diligently worked her way through the Duke of Edinburgh Award’s Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.

Lowri successfully completed every section of the world’s leading youth achievement award, including the volunteering, physical and skill trials as well as her final test – a weeklong kayaking expedition in Scotland in 2015.

Lowri, who was presented her Gold award by Olympic cyclist, Becky James, said: “Completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award has opened many doors for me.

"As Anglesey’s Youth Service works in partnership with the Urdd, I had the chance to take part in many exciting outdoor pursuit activities.

"I was also appointed as an Urdd apprentice at their Glan Llyn outdoor activity centre.

"This has enabled me to gain qualifications in this field, and I love the work, and hope to find permanent employment working with outdoor activities in the near future.”

While completing her Duke of Edinburgh Gold award, Lowri also received a Millennium Volunteer award, given to those who truly give back to their communities.

Anglesey Youth Service Principal Officer, Enid Williams, praise Lowri for her voluntary achievements.

“We are proud of Lowri’s achievements, as she was the first among our recent intake of women on the award to work her way through all the levels with the Youth Service and achieve her gold," she said.

"It is now nearing the season when all this year’s groups will be undertaking their expeditions, and we hope that Lowri will be with the Urdd staff to support them.

"Her own experience will certainly be an inspiration to this year’s groups.”

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is now being offered in all five of Anglesey’s high schools by the Youth Service and pupils from year nine upwards can start the award process.

Those interested should contact the Youth Worker in their school, or contact Anglesey’s Youth Service on 01248 752938 for more details.