I wanted to do the award from the moment my school promoted it by promising walking on Dartmoor for the gold level. I walked round the New Forest in the summer of 1976 (phew - hot!) for the silver award and Dartmoor in the Easter of 1978; I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of planning and doing, learning self sufficiency and map reading skills that have been useful ever since.

Service to the community skills were gained volunteering in the long term adult care unit in the hospital at the end of the road; a knowledge of adult disability and dementia that has informed my life since. I probably would never have thought of doing this if it were not part of the award programme.

I eventually received my award in Autumn 1979, by which time I was at medical school and missed the first half of the medical review I was in dashing back to Southampton from Buckingham Palace. My Mum accompanied me to the ceremony, a proud day for her and me: a day I shook the hand of the Duke of Edinburgh. Looking back it is amazing how interested he remained asking several hundred teenagers what their new "interest" had been.

I continue to walk and camp, and now cycle for various health related charities. I have been an NHS hospital doctor for 38 years. I have had many "adventures" since achieving the Gold award but my time spent walking round Dartmoor, practising in pouring rain and then for real in a heatwave, always rate at the top of my lifetime experiences.

I hope the award scheme continues to go from strength to strength, and to inspire further generations to challenge themselves, learn life skills and enjoy. I applaud the vision that encouraged and enabled girls to participate in activities formally considered unbecoming for "young ladies"; giving considerable satisfaction and a place to belong to my Tom Boy young self.

My deepest thanks to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, for his vision in starting this award.