On hehalf of the management committee, I offer our thanks for the publicity The Argus gave to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in the article about the Gold Awards earned by Kathryn and Simon Backler (Argus, February 24).

It is my pleasure to have been able to assist the Backlers towards their goals.

The more we concentrate our efforts towards encouraging young people to use their time to develop both social and technical skills through schemes such as our own, the greater will the benefits be for the young people and for the nation.

Surely this is a sound basis upon which to build their lives.

-R L Metcalfe, President, Brighton and Hove Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme