This is a photo of me presenting my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award's work to my Guide troupe.

I completed the award in 1979 and went to University. In March 1980 I was invited to receive the award - I was honoured to have met the Duke of Edinburgh himself. Unfortunately I do not remember the event too well as the day before I travelled from my University I felt really ill but my mother simply said "get on the train and do your best", typical of that era, there was no belief that I would not make this appointment.

The day was fabulous - although hazy. My mum was there as my guide leader and my dad as my parent.
The next day my appendix had burst and my dad died a week later.

I became a teacher and throughout my career I have been a Unit leader taking hundreds of students through their bronze, silver and gold awards. When I moved from Kent back to Hampshire I became an assessor so that I could still be involved in the award.

I recently received this e-mail:-
"Hello Macca!
How are you? Hope all is well your end?
Attached is the group photo from the palace with Tim Henman, we had Philip and everything!", I was so proud as her sister was my first student to become Gold award holder.

Not only have I gained enormous memories from my own participation in the award but I have a lifetime of memories from the students I helped achieve, whether it was bronze, silver or gold. These memories will last forever.

Thank you HRH Prince Phillip. Rest in peace.