Flora Evoli
I achieved my Gold Duke of Edinburgh award in 2009, and received the award from the Duke of Edinburgh at St James's Palace in 2011. Looking back on my participation in the award scheme, it had a profound effect on my life. It taught me both about my physical and mental endurance, which ultimately put me in good stead for the trials and tribulations of adult life.
Our qualifying expedition in the Brecon Beacons was particularly eventful. The weather we endured was truly appalling - the worst rainfall Wales had seen in 30 years! Our first day ended in a teammate developing symptoms of hypothermia and discovering our campsite was completely flooded. It was the kindness of a local farmer that allowed us to pitch our tents in his barn, which meant we could warm up and dry out our wet clothes on the hay. I dread to think what we smelt like for the duration of our expedition!
On the last day of our expedition, I frustratingly sprained a ligament in my knee, which meant keeping pace on the final leg was challenging. I remember the care of my fellow teammates who offered to split the load of my backpack to ease the strain on my knee so we could complete the challenge together. Looking back, despite all of us feeling weepy or weary at one stage or another, being that strength when the other needed it most taught us all the invaluable lesson of kindness, compassion and generosity of spirit. That, and tomorrow is always a new day!
Our qualifying expedition in the Brecon Beacons was particularly eventful. The weather we endured was truly appalling - the worst rainfall Wales had seen in 30 years! Our first day ended in a teammate developing symptoms of hypothermia and discovering our campsite was completely flooded. It was the kindness of a local farmer that allowed us to pitch our tents in his barn, which meant we could warm up and dry out our wet clothes on the hay. I dread to think what we smelt like for the duration of our expedition!
On the last day of our expedition, I frustratingly sprained a ligament in my knee, which meant keeping pace on the final leg was challenging. I remember the care of my fellow teammates who offered to split the load of my backpack to ease the strain on my knee so we could complete the challenge together. Looking back, despite all of us feeling weepy or weary at one stage or another, being that strength when the other needed it most taught us all the invaluable lesson of kindness, compassion and generosity of spirit. That, and tomorrow is always a new day!
