URDD Gobaith Cymru has been recognised for the support it has shown for people fleeing Ukraine and Afghanistan, as well as its overall contribution to Wales.
The Welsh youth organisation, which is celebrating its centenary year in 2022, was awarded the First Minister’s Special Award at last night's St David's awards ceremony.
It was honoured for everything it has achieved in a century of serving young people in Wales, sustaining Welsh as a living language, and in the most recent times providing sanctuary, support and safety to people fleeing Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Read more: National Urdd Eisteddfod Denbighshire 2022 - 'A stage for all'
The St David Awards, now in their 9th year, celebrate the extraordinary achievements and contributions of people in or from Wales from all walks of life.
This year’s award categories were: Bravery, Business, Community Spirit, Critical worker, Culture, Environment champion, Innovation, Science and Technology, Sport, Young person and the First Minister’s Special Award.
Congratulating the winners, the First Minister said: “It’s fantastic to be able to award this year’s St David Awards finalists in person once again. They are an inspiring group of people who deserve to be congratulated on their contribution to Welsh life.
“Many have courageously and selflessly served others, some are trailblazers in their fields, others have worked tirelessly to protect the environment, and we are lucky to have them all living and working in Wales.
PIC: St David Awards which were handed out last night.
“I’m particularly delighted to publicly commend Urdd Gobaith Cymru, in its centenary year, for working so hard to provide a warm and distinctly Welsh welcome for people fleeing trauma and humanitarian disaster.
"The Urdd truly demonstrated the ‘Team Wales’ approach we’ve developed along with other partner organisations, in going beyond their normal role and providing a vital catalyst for our efforts to welcome individuals and families seeking sanctuary in Wales.
"We are committed to being a Nation of Sanctuary, and the Urdd have been an inspiring example of what this looks like in practice.”
Urdd Gobaith Cymru provides valuable sporting and cultural opportunities to Wales’ young people.
Last autumn, the organisation opened up its residential centre in the shadow of the Welsh Parliament to well over 100 children and families as part of the Afghan resettlement scheme.
The Urdd's best practice is now being implemented again, through use of a residential centre to support up to 250 people arriving from Ukraine.
PIC: Urdd Gobaith Cymru.
A statement from Urdd Gobaith Cymru after winning the award read: "It is a huge honour to accept the First Minister’s Special Award as part of the St Davids Awards for 2022
"The Urdd would not be where it is today without the support and enthusiasm of volunteers and staff throughout the decades, and of course, truly exceptional members. Onwards to the next 100 years!"
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