A Summerland youth has won a prestigious award for leadership, volunteer work and fitness.
Simon Bambey of the 902 Summerland Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron received the gold level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The award was presented at a ceremony in Vancouver last week.
Bambey said achieving the award took a lot of effort.
During an 18-month period, he had to put in 90 hours of volunteer work, accomplish a level of physical fitness training and take part in a four-day, three-night hiking trip.
Bambey said much of his volunteering was done at the Summerland Seniors’ Village.
The trip was last year when he and two friends hiked a 90-kilometre trek in the Kettle Valley Railway and Chute Lake Road area on the east side of Okanagan Lake.
Bambey has been a member of the Summerland Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squardon since November, 2006. He has received the Legion medal and the Long Service medal for his dedication. He has also received his glider and power pilot license.
A total of 112 recipients from across the province received the gold level award.