On DofE expeditions I remember getting off the coach wanting to turn around and get straight back on, knowing I would be cold, wet, tired and hungry before I saw it again. I did it anyway, all the way through bronze, silver and gold which I received from the Duke in 1988.

Later when through my work on London 2012 volunteering legacy I got the wonderful opportunity to represent the scheme in handing out gold awards, I shared this story with the Duke, and he laughed and responded....'Well I think that's rather the point!'

I have been lucky to have had some fantastic opportunities in my life and many of them connect directly back to the skills I learnt in doing DofE and what the Duke of Edinburgh described as 'the DIY growing up kit'.