YOUNGSTERS on the way to achieving their Duke of Edinburgh Award have met with the county’s MSP on a historic day.

Members of the Gifford Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) group and Haddington Hikers DofE Group met Iain Gray at a Holyrood reception to celebrate the charity’s diamond anniversary.

The reception, which was held last Wednesday (October 5), saw groups from across the country come together, along with MSPs, to discuss the organisation’s work in their area.

Mr Gray said: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has helped hundreds of thousands of young people in Scotland to develop important skills for work and life and help them fulfil their potential.

“The charity is celebrating its diamond anniversary this year, so this reception was a welcome opportunity to mark this special milestone in its history.

“It also enabled me to hear more about its current work in East Lothian.

“DofE activity here includes the Haddington Hikers and Gifford groups and I had the pleasure of meeting some of the young people involved in these groups at the reception.

“It’s clear that DofE provides young people with really valuable opportunities to increase their skills and build confidence for their future.”

More information about the work of DofE Scotland can be found at www.dofe.info/scotland.