I am very proud to be a holder of all three DofE award levels and I will fondly remember my journey towards such an achievement.

I particularly look back on my hiking expeditions, pushing through the force of wind and rain, kept from blowing away thanks only to the heaviness of the rucksack. Recalling the nights spent sleeping in a tent, I realise the importance of shelter to survival and the human condition. The expeditions were tough, but the tough got going as I made my way through the mountains of Scotland, for I knew that successful completion would gain a highly respected certification to my name. Testing my resilience and teamworking skills, the expeditions were one of my DofE highlights.

The DofE programme is something I hope can continue for many years, and decades to come, for it provides an important learning curve for Britain's youth, and experiences that can be remembered and reflected upon as they get older, not to forget the multitude of skills gained.

I thank HRH Prince Philip for setting up this life-changing programme and I proudly reflect upon everything that the award has done for me.