I have very fond memories of the two years I spent on my Gold Duke of Edinburgh's award 1970-1972 as a Gold direct entrant with three friends from school. It got me involved in a number of activities that I would ever have thought of before such as volunteering at a disabled swimming club, spending a week at an outdoor adventure centre doing rock climbing, canoeing and sailing as well as a week walking around East Anglia. In December 1972 I had the privilege of attending Buckingham Palace to receive my award from the Duke of Edinburgh with my three friends and one family member each. We had to wear smart dress including a hat and gloves!! I remember that we waited to meet the Duke in a very splendid state room with the walls covered in paintings and there was a sudden hush in the room when the Duke approached. We were quite nervous naturally but when the Duke came to present us with our certificates and he asked one of my friends about what she had done for her service section and she explained, he said "Oh you have been painting old ladies". This made us all laugh and was typical of the way he was able to relate to young people and put us all at ease with his lovely sense of humour. I remember it vividly to this day. He was a great inspiration and his legacy will live on in the award scheme for ever. The image is me with my proud mum in the Palace courtyard. A few months later I met the Duke again when he came to a local presentation ceremony which showed his complete commitment to the award scheme in making time to attend and be a presence at local events. His scheme has changed lives both in the UK and abroad.