A STUDENT has been congratulated for his dedication after travelling almost 30,000 miles to study.
Catering student Charlie Sargent has just begun his fifth year commuting between the wilds of the Yorkshire Dales and Darlington College.
The 20-year-old, who lives with Asperger Syndrome, moved from Mowbray School, Bedale, to join Pathways, a Darlington College curriculum area that helped students with complex learning needs.
After a successful year, he then returned to study work skills before signing up for a third year joining a L1 Catering course. Last year he completed NVQ Level 2 patisserie and confectionary and he has now started a Level 2 professional cookery course, which sees him front of house and in the kitchens.
Charlie catches the bus three to four days a week from Castle Bolton in Wensleydale, a 28-mile journey that takes about 90 minutes. The daily round-trip to Darlington has seen him clock up close to 30,000 miles in order to study.
His efforts won him high praise from principal Kate Roe. She said: “Charlie is one of the best examples of the commitment many of our students have to their learning and he is a fine role model for the college.”
Charlie added: “The trip can be tricky in snow and bad weather but the scenery is great. I am really enjoying the course, both front of house and in the kitchens, and see catering as providing some great employment opportunities in the future.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.
