I was fortunate to accompany HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on several occasions as he met young achievers receiving their Gold Awards at events at St James’s Palace. He was unerringly warm towards them, and keen to know what activities they had chosen and what they had learnt from them. He would joke with them that their Gold Certificates were their “discharge papers” and they would never have to camp again. In fact, he knew full well that the programme he devised all of those years ago in fact sparks lifelong interests and hobbies, and that young people are not only heading off towards successful lives and careers, but also with a love of the great outdoors and the confidence to remain safe in our wonderful countryside. I know that all of us here at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award will miss the support and humour of His Royal Highness and the best tribute and legacy we can provide is to continue our work to extend the availability of the DofE to as many young people as possible from all backgrounds.