Growing up on a farm in a quiet village the Duke of Edinburgh Award broadened my horizons. Youth hosteling in the Lake District opened my eyes to the Lovely Lakes which we visit regularly to this day. Volunteering for local organisations gave me knowledge of others needs and today after retirement I am a volunteer for Macmillan Cancer support. These plus many other skills learned gave me a good grounding for life not least in gaining employment.
I was lucky to complete the award with 2 school friends and we were headlined in the Local Paper as the Golden Trio and the first girls in Mid Cheshire to gain the Gold Award. In 1968 we were lucky to be invited to Buckingham Palace to be presented with the award by the Duke himself.
May he rest in peace.