Congratulations

[Donny Dave]

To Tomnick on gaining his Duke of Edinburgh gold award.

A Student who divides his free time between volunteering for hospital radio and as a scout leader has struck gold.

Tom Nicholson (20) spent two years working towards the coveted Duke of Edinburgh award which was presented to him at St James' Palace, London.He undertook gruelling camping trips, trained as a radio presenter, completed railway signalman training and cycled 40 miles in two hours to get his award.

"I am really proud because it is such an achievement," he said.

"It has taken me such a long time to get it and the skills I have learned have already been useful.

"And it will be a good thing to have on my CV after I have finished university in two years' time."

Tom's mother Ann, said her son used to be shy and quiet, but the award had helped to give him confidence.

"He presents a show on the university radio, which he got into after training to do hospital radio - he's always volunteering somewhere," she said.

"He's very modest, but he works very hard and really enjoys everything he's done for the awards.

"Tom's learned life skills - he has learned to drive, done a four-day hike carrying all his own provisions, become a scout leader and done an art A-Level in his spare time," she added.

Tom has always been interested in trains, so training to be a signalman and working on the North Yorkshire Railway was a dream come true for him.

He even turned down a place at Cambridge University to go to Loughborough, where the course on offer was more closely connected to his passion.

Currently, Tom is studying for a Master's degree in civil engineering, but still finds time to volunteer for Scunthorpe's hospital radio when he visits home.

He has now completed every level of the award scheme and although there are no more medals he can aim for, he intends to continue all the activities which earned him his honours.

A spokesman for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award said: "The accolade helps young people in the future, it is recognised by universities and employers as the mark of a very special person.

"Someone who is prepared to make a commitment and is capable of going that extra mile to achieve their objective."

http://*******.com/33px7z

 

[Tomnick]

so training to be a signalman and working on the North Yorkshire Railway was a dream come true for him.

Bah. I never expected to be rewarded by signing a load of boxes that I've never even heard of .

Can I hide now?

 

[Tom]

No, come out of your closet...

 

[Coxster]

Well done Tom

 

[Guinness]

Congratulations Tom

 

[Techniquest]

Congratulations indeed to you Tom. Some good work there!:thumblef:

 

[yorkie]

So that's why you've been really busy lately! I had no idea you were doing all these things! Well done Tom.:toothy8:

As for cycling 40 miles in 2 hours.... !!!! That is impressive.

 

[Techniquest]

Too right, 40 miles in less than 2 hours, I can't go that far on public transport most of the time (well, on buses at least) in that time!

For that alone you deserve a medal!

 

[DJC_158]

indeed yeah,

very well done,
congratulations mate!.

 

[AlexS]

Excellent mate!

And, rare sometimes for a select few of our signalmen, he's not only trained as one, he's bloody good at it!

 

[fgw first great western]

How about £1000,000 or $1000,000

 

[Ben]

Congratulations Tom.

Very well deserved.

 

[Guinness]

"Tom's mother Ann, said her son used to be shy and quiet, but the award had helped to give him confidence."

That's a nice comment from your Mum Tom

Out of interest, what type of terrain was on your impressive Bike Run?

 

[theblackwatch]

Well done on the award Tom.

Reading everything you've done, it does amaze me that some young people hang around on street corners smoking and drinking, go out vandalising cars or causing bother etc, and claim they have 'nothing else to do' - your DofE award and other activities proves this isn't true, and at the end of the day, it's my belief that the more you put into life, the more you get out of it.

PS Was the bike ride downhill? :P

 

[Tomnick]

Cheers all, very much appreciated. Yes, it's definitely an achievement that I'm proud of!

The two-hour bike ride was in typical Lincolnshire flat-ness with a killer hill right where you wouldn't expect it (well, I was expecting it because I live at the top of it) - in some ways, that's a lot worse than proper hill country because it just goes on and on and on!

Dunno where they got the two year thing from though - more like five years or so .

 

[Ascot]

Good on ya lad!!

 

[mbonwick]

Well done.

Congratulations

 

[Nick]

Top work Tom.

 

[Jordy]

Congratulations! Great work :thumbrig:

 

[Mintona]

Well done Tom!

I have my silver, and I am meant to have just started my gold, but I can't coz I can't get time off Morrisons to do it