Amy Murray
Participating in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme helped to shape me into the woman that I am today.
It helped me to develop my confidence and enabled me to have some amazing experiences. I made lifelong friends and treasure my memories of all of my DofE experiences and challenges.
For my Gold residential I went to Heilbronn, Germany, in June 1996 to take part in a youth initiative called 'Work for Peace'. I worked on the war graves alongside young people from many different European countries. This undoubtedly sparked my curiosity for travel.
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, presented my Gold Award and certificate to me in New Zealand and I remember that he remarked how unusual it was to present a Gold DofE badge in New Zealand, as I understand it is known as the International Award/Hillary Award in New Zealand.
My Mum, Valerie Hague, inspired me to take up the DofE challenge, she was one of the first women to complete the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, when it was opened up to young women. She went on to provide over 25 years of voluntary service to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and was presented a special award for her long service at a Royal tea party at Buckingham Palace.
My brother, Daniel Hague, also inspired me to do DofE when he received his Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.
My sister, Zoë Baxter, achieved her Bronze and Silver awards. Her gold expeditions were thwarted by accidents and illness, so she sadly missed out on attaining her Gold Award.
2 of my nieces have started their own DofE journey and I would love to see them complete the Award scheme.
I shall always be grateful to all of the volunteers who helped me along my DofE journey.
I am particularly grateful to the late Edith Millward, who was the Award Officer for Stockport when I started DofE and later, Heather Crookes, who succeeded the role. They were both passionate about the DofE Award Scheme and I very much appreciated their support.
It helped me to develop my confidence and enabled me to have some amazing experiences. I made lifelong friends and treasure my memories of all of my DofE experiences and challenges.
For my Gold residential I went to Heilbronn, Germany, in June 1996 to take part in a youth initiative called 'Work for Peace'. I worked on the war graves alongside young people from many different European countries. This undoubtedly sparked my curiosity for travel.
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, presented my Gold Award and certificate to me in New Zealand and I remember that he remarked how unusual it was to present a Gold DofE badge in New Zealand, as I understand it is known as the International Award/Hillary Award in New Zealand.
My Mum, Valerie Hague, inspired me to take up the DofE challenge, she was one of the first women to complete the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, when it was opened up to young women. She went on to provide over 25 years of voluntary service to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and was presented a special award for her long service at a Royal tea party at Buckingham Palace.
My brother, Daniel Hague, also inspired me to do DofE when he received his Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.
My sister, Zoë Baxter, achieved her Bronze and Silver awards. Her gold expeditions were thwarted by accidents and illness, so she sadly missed out on attaining her Gold Award.
2 of my nieces have started their own DofE journey and I would love to see them complete the Award scheme.
I shall always be grateful to all of the volunteers who helped me along my DofE journey.
I am particularly grateful to the late Edith Millward, who was the Award Officer for Stockport when I started DofE and later, Heather Crookes, who succeeded the role. They were both passionate about the DofE Award Scheme and I very much appreciated their support.
