I completed the Gold Award whilst I was working for BAE Systems, I started it at 22 so quite an old entrant!! I’d always been into outward bound activities when I was younger but since starting work, my weekends were spent clubbing. When I was 21 my dad died suddenly and it made me assess what I was doing with my time. The opportunity arose at work to undertake the Gold Award as a direct entrant and I jumped at the chance! I spent my weekends volunteering with the Rangers at my local Country Park, Beacon Fell. I learnt to rock climb and continued this for man years afterwards. I broke my arm 5 minutes into our 40 mile, 4 day walk but still completed it with my arm in plaster!! But best of all, I met my husband on the Ocean Youth Club voyage and we have been married for 18 years. I collected my Award in 1999 at the last ceremony of the century and I was so pleased to have met the Duke.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award, gave me a kick up the bum when I needed it and a lifelong motivation to keep active and make the most of opportunities as they come along. I was more proud of my DofE Award than my degree or any of my other academic achievements and I’ll always be grateful for experience it gave me. RIP Prince Philip and thank you for setting the Awards up.