Mathern Brownies have awarded their first Gold Section Award, the highest award a Brownie can achieve.

Sophie Plowman aged nine is the first Mathern Brownie to earn a ’Brownie Section Gold Award’. To receive the award Sophie was required to complete two adventure badges, an interest badge from three of the interest themes and complete the three-part gold award challenge.

The award is designed to challenge girls to try something new, push their boundaries, build on other experiences within girlguiding and generate enthusiasm for guiding.

Sophie enjoyed working on the badges as she felt she was "learning whilst having fun" and she was able to link several of her hobbies with Brownie badges. She also enjoyed finding out more about brownies around the world when she completed the adventure badges.

Sophie visited a local Rainbows group to tell them all about Brownies. She showed them her badges, explained what happens at Brownie meetings and told them how much fun Brownies have. Sophie also found out about Guides and is looking forward to joining them next September.

Unit leader Dr Zoe Boal said: "As unit leader I am incredibly proud of Sophie’s achievement and I know that her hard work will continue as she explores further interest badges, learns new skills and embraces new challenges. Sophie is always striving to be the best she can be and is a great role model for all the girls in our unit."

Sophie actually went above and beyond, earning dozens of badges including adventure badges, 26 interest badges, a skills builder badge, the ’Be Well’ theme badge as well as other event and challenge specific badges.