This is a three part story: On July 12th 1966, 5 of us (3 boys and 2 girls) from Worthing, West Sussex were presented with our Gold Awards at Buckingham Palace. I was a shy teenager, but through participating in the Scheme learnt 'that anything is possible to achieve' and to 'aim high'. Later one of my brothers also gained his Gold Award.

I wanted to put my skills learnt to good use, so was sent as a volunteer teacher with VSO from 1968 - 1969 to Vidya Bhawan School, Udaipur, India. Children of all castes and religions were taught together in this inspirring school and I was invited to introduce the Duke of Edinburgh's Award to 6 girls. They were to be the first girls in India to partipate in the Scheme, which at the time had only allowed boys to take part. I wrote in my unpublished book, shortly after my return to England 'The Award just had to succeed for them and I hoped they would be the first of many girls to try this Award, with all the challenges, fun and delight in achieving that which they thought impossible'.

I married and had 3 sons, all of whom took part in the Award Scheme. One of my sons met his future wife whilst they were doing their Award. They made friends for life and the Award Scheme has enriched our lives.

It is my wish that the Duke of Edinburgh's Award could be made part of the National Curriculum in our schools, so that all young people can be given the opportunity to take part and be inspired for life, as I was.