When i was in year 8 at secondary school i got given the opportunity to take part in bronze dofe. At first i said no chance however i thoughts about it and with a bit of a push from my mum and dad I decided to give it ago. I cant say i loved it at the time but looking back i had so many fabulous memories. ( it couldnt have been that bad as i carried on to do my silver and gold). The main reason i took part in this amazing award was my grandad. He absolutely loved the royal family and was so proud that i was part of the dofe. I always promised him i would take him to the palace with me when i finished my gold. However unfortunately due to covid my invite got delayed and my grandad actually past away last September. It broke my heart as he was my absolute world and i felt like i had done all this hard work for nothing. My mum then sat me down and we had a chat and it wasnt until that point that i realised how much dofe did for me. It made me become a confident young lady. People think its just walking however there is so much more to it, volunteering, taking part in different skills, having residential trips, meeting new friends and most of all having fun. Im not going to lie, it was very challenging and at some points i wanted to quit however i just kept thinking about my grandad and it made me carry on. I couldn’t recommend this challenge enough it was an amazing experience there where laughs, tears and lots of wild wee’s but i loved it. I have now been invited to the palace to receive my Gold award and im taking my mum with me. Although i am gutted its not my grandad as i know it would have ment more to him than anyone, we will still have a fab day get all dressed up and i can receive the award i worked hard for. I know that my grandad will be with me in spirit.