TAKE a bunch of teenagers, throw in some sweaty socks and jubilant smiles, and what do you have? A team effort to finish The Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane today.
Fifteen young people from Carindale PCYC have been training hard as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and are part of a wider PCYC fundraising drive to raise $20,000 for a Youth Leadership Program targeting at-risk youth.
Ryan Nobbs admits preparing to run 10km has been a matter of gritting his teeth, but it feels good, the 16-year-old said.
“Basically I can do things now I couldn’t do before,” Ryan said of his increased fitness. The award is about challenge, adventure and achievement and encourages participants to become more self-sufficient through confidence in physical activity and team building.
“Training is easier when there’s someone running with you, otherwise you just don’t,” he said.
Stacey Clift, Carindale PCYC’s youth development officer, said free fitness classes were held regularly to get the guys and girls to the starting block.
“Some will walk, some will jog and others will do a mix of running and walking over the 10km,” Ms Clift said.
“Training has been really supportive, with the team ensuring everyone’s all right and achieving their best and they’ve really been able to motivate each other.”
Completing the award requires a volunteering component, learning a new skill and achieving a fitness level.
Ms Clift said the program not only captured at-risk youth, but young people keen to get school credit for extra curricular activities.
Also known as Dukes, it is a recognised course of study for the Queensland Certificate of Education. Students can gain up to four points towards their QCE by achieving their Dukes Awards – one for Bronze, one for Silver and two for Gold.
Ms Clift said it was a great fit for many young adults.
“If we can encourage emotional learning and becoming healthy young adults, whether here or in school, it’s ticking the boxes personally and for the QCE,” she said.