I started my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award whilst I was a member of the Girls Brigade in Ipswich, Suffolk age 13/14. I undertook a huge amount of different tasks including decorating our church hall, multiple fitness challenges, volunteering in a care home for the elderly, I started my hobby of miniatures, I took up weekly aerobics classes, not to mention all the amazing expeditions we did around Suffolk. There are probably so many things I did that I could not possibly list them all.

I was lucky enough to be picked through my girls brigade by our leader, Sharon Clarkson, to be involved in an exchange trip with The Presidents award in South Africa. Quite literally an experience of a lifetime.
The trip, the people I met; many who are lifelong friends, the activities we took part in, including building steps in Felixstowe, Suffolk, and building an assault course in a South African prison, the expeditions we did in South Africa, the amazing memories made, without doubt shaped me as a young teenager to be who I am today.

I cannot thank the award scheme enough for sending me in the right direction in life. I still get such excitement talking about my time taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh‘s award to anyone who will listen to me!

The icing on the cake was to attend Buckingham Palace for a garden party to receive my Gold award.

This is such a sad time to be reflecting on such amazingly good times, but I hope that Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh knew just how many people’s lives he changed, including mine. Forever grateful.