It's a long time since I completed my Gold Award. I participated through the Guides, I was a Ranger Guide and started with Silver before progressing to Gold. To be honest I don't remember much about the experience. I volunteered in the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh and my Gold expedition was in the Scottish Borders. I do remember we spent quite a bit of time trying to release a sheep that had got stuck in a fence. The expedition assessor wasn't that impressed! I was 17 in July 1970 when I received my Gold from HRH at Holyroodhouse. It was in the days when the parents and guests sat in the garden and the recipients met the Duke at the door as they exited. Royal Week was later that year as the Commonwealth Games were being held in Edinburgh. I was volunteering at the Games but managed to have a run in with a bus which led to me having a broken nose and quite severe bruising round my eye so I met the Duke wearing sunglasses. Of course he commented on it.
A couple of years later I joined the Award's Scotland Committee. Typically the Duke of Edinburgh's Award was one of the earliest organisations to involve young people in this way. I met the Duke again at the Award ceremony in Holyroodhouse, Arrangements had changed and recipients and their guests were grouped in different rooms in the Palace, Members of the Scotland Committee, including me, hosted a room, welcomed the Duke when he walked in and introduced him to the recipients. It was a real honour to be part of this.
I can't say that involvement in DofE changed my life but it did help confirm the person I am and the values I hold. I became a Community Worker and I've worked to support people to achieve their potential no matter their background or personal circumstances for more than 4 decades. And I am still passionate about ensuring young people have opportunities through my involvement with Edinburgh College.
I cried when I heard about his death, even although it wasn't unexpected. Thank you HRH.