I joined the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme in my sixth form and was a direct gold participant. My friend told me about the scheme and I thought it sounded great. I applied to join and a teacher at my school, Mrs Marr, helped me through the award. I was the only student doing the award in my school so I was linked to some other students to do our expedition around Hadrian’s wall together. I did my residential week at Ford Castle and was chosen to host the residents of the castle at our evening feast which we’d prepared which was very exciting. For my service I was Barn Owl at the Brownies and went on several pack holidays with them. I was a school librarian prefect which serve as my skills section together with local community interests, and I played a number of sports, primarily tennis.

I went with my mum to Buckingham Palace to receive my award which was very exciting and then as he came to talk to our group he talked to me which was so wonderful. It was only a fleeting conversation but I remember it to this day as it was so exceptionally special to converse a few words with him. If there is any video of the day I would love to see it, or any way you can get photos from the day.