A first for Somerset’s Rangers

Kimberley gets gold

The 1st Bridgwater Rangers group has celebrated a first for Somerset Rangers. Kimberley Wheadon has been presented with a Gold Award, the first ever awarded in the County.  

The Gold Award is the highest achievement a Ranger can reach. It takes months of work on projects that help develop life skills. Gold Award candidates learn about taking action to improve the world, becoming adventurous, taking part in sports and developing self-care among other goals. Kimberley, who has been a Ranger for four years, managed to achieve the award at the same time as studying for her A-Levels and enrolling as a Cadet.  

1st Bridgwater Rangers has been supported by a grant from the Homes in Sedgemoor Making a Difference fund and without this grant, the group would have had to close.  The grant has supported costs towards the venue hire, but mostly, the equipment needed for the rangers to complete their skills awards.  

The Rangers have been supporting each other and their community throughout the pandemic delivering food to local people and supporting vulnerable residents and are continuing to do so during the current financial pressures. 

Anyone interested in becoming a Ranger should visit www.girlguiding.org.uk.

Making a Difference  

The Making a Difference Fund was created to help develop estates and the environment with projects that benefit the community, for example, recycling schemes and ecological projects that will not only help the environment but will bring communities together. The fund was also founded to help improve life chances and to create communities with local projects such as play schemes and volunteering opportunities with support for families in the community.   

How much can I apply for?  

Applications can be submitted for up to the value of £500. Applicants can only reapply for funding for new projects after 12 months. Applications will be considered for approval on February 27th, June 27th and November 27th of each year.  However, interim approvals may also be conducted so applicants are encouraged to submit applications sooner than the due dates.