A mentoring programme is celebrating a major milestone.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Bermuda marks its 50th anniversary this year.

To kick off this year’s tag day, John Rankin, the Governor, made a personal donation.

The annual event is aimed to raise awareness of the programme, its participants, and generate funds to help keep the programme free of charge to those who take part.

This year’s tag day take place this Friday at various locations across the City of Hamilton.

Traci Burgess, national director with The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Bermuda, said that over the last five decades more than 10,000 participants have been mentored.

“Our tiny island presently boasts the highest penetration rate for participation in the International Award, with more than 10 per cent of Bermuda’s eligible population between the ages of 14 to 25 being actively engaged in the programme on an annual basis,” she said.

Last year, 622 local youngsters participated in the “life-changing” programme.

The impacts for participants include increased self-confidence, improved health, environmental awareness, and more, Ms Burgess said.

To mark this year’s milestone, a number of events are planned, including “high-profile guests”.

For more information on the programme, volunteering and more, contact 537-4868 or director@theaward.bm.