Girlguiding honour for brave Imogen from Thurso
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A Thurso youngster who remained brave and upbeat when going through hospital treatment has achieved a top Girlguiding Scotland honour.
Imogen Gunn (10) was presented with a Scottish Chief Commissioner's Thistle Award – given to members aged under 19 who have demonstrated outstanding bravery, overcome personal challenges or shown responsibility during a specific incident.
The Mount Pleasant Primary School pupil was in 3rd Thurso Brownies when she had to travel away from home and undergo medical treatment.
Guide unit leader Elspeth Husband explained: "Imogen totally took all the challenges in her stride. She remained cheerful and even the hospital staff and consultant said she always brightened up their day."
During her long stays in hospital, Imogen remained in touch with her school to keep up with class work. She also wanted to continue with Brownies and stayed in contact with her friends from the group, working on activities set by the unit leader.
The application for the award is assessed at Scottish level and meetings were delayed by lockdown.
Imogen received her award – and a cake from Girlguiding Caithness – at a family lunch, as restrictions on face-to-face meetings at that time meant the presentation couldn't be made at a Guide meeting.
Mrs Husband said: "It is the first time we have presented this award in Caithness and Imogen couldn't have been more deserving of this recognition."
Meanwhile, Thurso High School pupil Hannah Rosie has received her Gold Award, the top accolade a Guide can achieve in her section, having completed all targets in each of the Guide programme zones.
Mrs Husband said: "Hannah showed self-motivation to carry on working on her award during lockdown and managed to complete some of the activities in virtual unit meetings and also to complete badgework at home.
"She worked in different areas of the programme including wellbeing, skills for her future, community action and self-discovery. She completed challenges in photography, upcycling and conscious consumerism.
"We are so delighted that Hannah is continuing to volunteer with Girlguiding as a young leader."
As the unit is now allowed to meet face-to-face, Hannah was presented with her Gold Award at an outdoor presentation.
Anyone interested in finding out about volunteering with Girlguiding can get in touch through the website, www.girlguiding.org.uk
