I became involved on DofE whilst at boarding school in 1960 through the school ACF (1st Cadet Batallion London Rifle Brigade). I successfully completed the Silver award in 1962, continued onto the Gold award which was presented to me at Buckingham Palace in 1964 by HRH Prince Philip. I was never the greatest academic being much more "hands on" but it led to my joining the Royal Air Force in 1973. My wife and I met at Biggin Hill in 1973 at the Officer & Aircrew Selection Centre. We had two sons Matthew in 1982, who was sadly suffered brain damage at birth, and Jonathon who was born in 1986. Both boys were able to participate in the the Award scheme,Matthew achieved the Bronze award and Jonathon went all the way to the Gold award. I continued my involvement during my time in the RAF being involved with the ATC camps at Linton on Ouse and later with our local ATC Sqn in Oxfordshire. Matthew has sadly died but we have a hope that Jonathon's two sons may follow their father and I into DofE as they get older. This would be three generations benefitting from and supporting the DofE Award Scheme