A STUDENT who overcame dyslexia to achieve the gold Duke of Edinburgh Award has been to London to collected it from Prince Phillip himself.

When Gary Foxley from Hyde, near Minchinhampton received his the award at St James Palace a few weeks ago, it represented the culmination of years of hard work.

The 21-year-old former Minchinhampton Primary and Deer Park pupil has thrown himself in to voluntary work, music and mountaineering and many other activities to win the coveted award.

He developed a love of music by playing the tuba, with Nailsworth Brass Band, and the Gloucestershire Youth Brass Band, and his interest in sport encouraged him to coach badminton and swimming with youngsters.

Recently his voluntary work has included helping other youngsters through the V project (an organisation for 16 to 25-year-olds who wish to volunteer), and Glos Aid. His most notable achievements were organising a concert to raise money for his school friend Jonathan Brough who was paralysed from meningitis a couple of years ago, and climbing the Three Peaks (Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis) for the Meningitis Trust

"Gary enjoyed his school years at Minchinhampton Primary, and Deer Park in Cirencester, but his dyslexia made learning an upward struggle," said his mum Diane.

"This achievement represents a great deal of hard work and determination over a number of years."

He is currently working for Wyevale garden centre, as a freelance gardener, and as a support worker at Paternoster Special School.

In his spare time he continues to work as a volunteer for Glos Aid and the D of E, accompanying disabled youngsters on residential trips.

He is off to the University of Gloucestershire to study a degree in early years education next month.