From Bronze, Silver and Gold my abilities were stretched each and every time. The Gold challenge was by far the most challenging yet rewarding as I was pushed to do things I never thought I was capable of doing.

Even today, 4 years after I completed my expedition for the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, it reminds my most proud moment.

My favourite memory from the Gold practise and assessed expeditions were most definitely the incredible views of the Lake District and Snowdonia. It's when you are put in a situation of nature, without technology to guide you, you realise your full potential to explore, delve into nature and appreciate everything before you.

Nothing tops the feeling of reaching the final checkpoint of the expedition, our emotions were high and gravitate at it's fullest. We appreciated every moment that we had before us.

Thank you to the Duke of Edinburgh for making these memories possible, challenging us as young individuals which helped to guide us into adulthood.