A young woman from Llanymynech has risen to the challenge to achieve the highest award in Girlguiding.

Rachael Bullough, 20, was presented with her Queen’s Guide Award at the House of Commons on Saturday, October 20 by Julie Bell, Deputy Chief Guide.

Adventurer Pip Stewart was in attendance to give the recipients an inspirational talk. Over the last few years Pip has cycled 10,000 miles from Malaysia to London, travelling through 26 countries, and journeyed 3,000 miles by bike, boat and plane through Brazil and Peru. Earlier this year she joined two other adventurers to paddle the Essequibo, South America’s third largest river.

To achieve the prestigious award Rachael took on a series of personal challenges in areas such as social action, voluntary work and travel.

Fewer than 150 young women out of the hundreds of thousands of Girlguiding members are presented with the award each year and they have to complete their challenges before they turn 26.

Rachael took two years to finish her challenges. These included Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award for the expedition section.

"The walk really challenged me and was really tough, but, once I had finished, I realised I enjoyed it immensely and it’s now something I can look back on and have a good laugh about! I made some really good friends from across Wales through taking part in the open expedition".

Rachael also says she enjoyed researching Autism as part of my community action section.

Rachael said: “I had an amazing opportunity to visit and work in a specialist SEN department for autism at a local high school. This experience has been really worthwhile and I’m now using everything I have learnt though Queens Guide in my training to become a Children’s Nurse”.

“Achieving my Queen’s Guide Award has really topped off my amazing experience with Girlguiding. I’ve had the most incredible time being a part of this organisation for the past thirteen years. I’ve done so many exciting things.”