I found out about the DofE as a teenager through my school. I was fortunate enough to go to a British school in Peru and our physics teacher there encouraged me and two of my peers to take the challenge of the award. As far as I am aware, we were the first three people in Peru and possibly South America to complete the bronze award. The components of charity work and exploration/excursions resonated with me back then and still do to this day. We did work with kids in the burns unit at the Children's Hospital in Lima, which as a 15 year old makes a lasting mark on you and leaves a want to do better for people that have had to endure such tragedies. The planning of overnight hikes gave us a sense of adventure and independence that carried over well into my adult life. I remember wearing our bronze badge proudly the day we got it as we knew it was an important achievement for a young person. I feel fortunate to be an alumni of an organization that is such a force for good for younger people, one that allows them to explore the potential of the impact they can make in the adult world.
I join the rest of the DofE family in offering condolences to the Queen and the Royal Family on this hard moment.