DofE was, and still is, the most unforgettable, incredible experience I’ve ever had. I developed an even greater appreciation for travel and the outdoors, as well as giving me the independence, confidence and resilience I didn’t know I needed at the time.

Bronze and Silver held some great memories, but Gold was by far the most momentous: I remember drinking fresh water from a waterfall in the mountains of Yorkshire Dales and swimming in the lake on our campsite with my group. We sang and made our own songs, were given cookies and tiger balm (a life saver!!) by this lovely woman we met on her caravan holiday, camped next to alpacas, watched the sunrise over the most amazing views each morning, and talked about anything and everything we could think of.

Of course, these memories don’t come without their challenges: dreaded blisters, getting drenched in the rain one day then sweltering the next, being chased by a cloud of fog up a mountain (also by a herd of sheep), having a checkpoint card chewed on by a cow, a day of walking for over 15 hours, and training in the middle of the night next to a cliff drop we could barely see!

Though when we came home and started to tell these stories, it’s the funny, enjoyable memories that come to mind which make the experience worthwhile. But without those challenges, it wouldn’t have felt as rewarding as it did when we finally made it to the last checkpoint on that scorching summer day, knowing we were getting picked up by a minibus instead of walking! The pictures and videos we took on these expeditions will always be something I randomly look back on and smile about.

Three years after Gold I still choose to go volunteering at Cancer Research from the lovely people I’ve met along the way.

This award has encouraged me to seek out experiences and adventures I wouldn’t have had the courage to do if it wasn’t for the Duke of Edinburgh, so if you’re wondering whether if it’s for you - you never know un