East Ruston teenager gains top Girl Guiding award

A teenager from north Norfolk has been presented with a top award.

Kirsty Grimmer, 18, from East Ruston, Norwich, has received the coveted Queen's Guide Award - which is Girlguiding UK's top accolade.

The award was presented to her by Girlguiding UK's Chief Guide Gill Slocombe – herself a Queen's Guide – at a special ceremony held at Rockingham Castle in Leicestershire.

More than 20 young women from around the UK joined Kirsty, who is a leader with the 2nd North Walsham Guides and 4th North Walsham Brownies, in receiving their Queen's Guide Award.

The award sees participants take the lead in a number of areas including developing a personal skill, working within pioneering community action projects, and overseeing outdoor pursuits.

Kirsty said: 'Completing my Queen's Guide Award has shown me that I am a confident speaker and that I get on well with people, so I am sure I will do well in my career choice of the museum and heritage industry.'

Chief Guide Gill Slocombe added: 'Over the years the Queen's Guide Award has given many young women an amazing sense of empowerment and confidence. I hope they will serve as an inspiration to many more young women all over the country who are thinking about getting involved in guiding.'