Jenni Simpson Receives Royal Recognition

Jennifer Simpson recognised as one of a select group of people worldwide to be congratulated for their outstanding support to young people through the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Bermuda.

December 13, 2021 — Jennifer Simpson (known as Jenni) needs no introduction to the young people in the local Award community. Jenni has been at the forefront of efforts to support the community’s youth, through her work with Open Award – DeNavigators Award Center and the Somersfield Award Center.

To mark the centenary of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Award he founded is celebrating some of its most inspiring volunteers. In recognition of the exceptional work they do in support of young people, they will receive a letter of commendation from HRH Prince Edward – Prince Philip’s son and Chairman of the International Award Foundation – and a special commemorative coin marking the life and legacy of the Duke, produced by the Royal Mint in the UK.

Programme Director, Karen Simmons (pictured below right) stated, “On behalf of the Award Council, I would like to congratulate and thank Jenni for the time she donates to the Award and the young people in Bermuda. Jenni has been a selfless volunteer as a Leader, Assessor and Standards and Training Committee Member for the Award in Bermuda for over 7 Years. She manages the Award Center on her own at her school site Somersfield Academy and she is always enthusiastic about the role she has taken on – Bronze level. Jenni continues to broaden her knowledge base by engaging participants at a higher Award Level, training both Silver and Gold Level participants in the Open Award, The DeNavigators. She is a true adventurer and uses her vast experience through Scouts, to engage participants in new and challenging activities. Jenni is always available to help with our fundraising events and is a true ambassador for the Award. Jenni really enjoys working with the young people in a capacity outside of the classroom and seeing their personality grow and develop in a different way.”

Jenni Simpson said, “This is an honour and surprise to receive such prestigious recognition and commendation from HRH Prince Edward, Chairman of the International Award Foundation, for my work with the Award in Bermuda. My desire to give back stems from the benefits I gained from my involvement with Scouting in my home country – Ireland. Through volunteering for the Award I have seen first-hand the benefits of the Award for our young people who develop many skills not taught in the classroom.”

Clare Maclennan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: “The Duke of Edinburgh and The Royal Mint enjoyed a close relationship for many years, with the Prince serving as President of The Royal Mint Advisory Committee from 1952 until 1999. As such, we were delighted to create a coin celebrating the legacy of this remarkable man, and to support the work of the charity by gifting 100 coins to 100 incredible volunteers.”

Inspiring Award volunteers are being celebrated around the world; from Fiji to Finland and Bermuda to Uganda. Every year, more than a million young people start their Award, supported by almost 200,000 volunteers across 130 countries and territories. Millions have participated since the programme began in 1956.

To find out more about the Award in Bermuda visit www.theaward.bm. To find out more about the Award internationally, visit www.intaward.org.

Originally published on TheAward.bm