TWO Leighton teenagers helped boost the reputation of today's youth when they took on a struggling Rainbows group and prevented them from closure.
Emma Spencer and Dulcie Wyatt followed the movement's motto "be prepared" to help them cope. Despite being pinned down with their GCSE revision, they both found the time to dedicate themselves to a group of five to seven-year-old girls at a crucial t
ime, after the former adult group leader left last winter.
In the absence of an adult leader, the girls were responsible for the planning and running of the weekly meetings, and used their initiative to come up with programme ideas, including 'bring a friend night', to encourage new members.
Debbie Docherty, the Division Commander for Girlguiding South Bedfordshire has jointly nominated the girls for a SkillsTrain Young People of the Year Award in Beds, along with the best of Bedfordshire's youth, giving the girls the opportunity to win a share of £2,000 cash.
Dulcie's mum said: "Most kids are positive and hard working, and just want to help one another. They don't deserve the bad press they get."
Her point was reiterated by the girls who added: "It's volunteer work. Your rewarded is the satisfaction. We're incredibly proud to have saved the unit."
Nominations are now open for the SkillsTrain Young People of the Year Award and you can get more details at
www.yopey.org.
