SHE has travelled to India, staged a historical expedition around Nottingham and organised a village fayre and now a Girlguiding member from Evesham has been awarded the organisation’s ultimate accolade – the Queen’s Guide Award.

Samantha Gisborne, leader of the 1st Inkberrow Guides who teaches history and religious studies at Pershore High School, demonstrated “exceptional leadership and community action” and completed a series of demanding challenges over a few years to achieve the award.

The 25-year-old’s hard work was rewarded at a special ceremony at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London when she was presented with the prestigious award by Chief Guide Gill Slocombe.

She said: “After each trip I have come back with more enthusiasm and confidence. I am determined that every guide I work with should have the opportunity to do the best she can. I’ve had amazing support through my guiding career and I want to give that back.”

The Queen’s Guide Award, open to young women in guiding aged 16 to 25, sets members a series of demanding challenges.

They include embarking on an ambitious four-day expedition, overseeing a groundbreaking community action project and devoting a year to cultivating a skill of their choice.

Chief Guide Gill Slocombe said: “The Queen’s Guide Award embodies all that’s best about guiding.The adventures recipients experience, the skills they learn and the friendships and confidence they build will last a lifetime and prove immensely valuable as they pursue their goals in life.

“This challenge has helped them become confident, skilled, self-reliant young women ready to make a positive difference to the world around them, and I have no doubt that they will.”