I did the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards when I was younger. Without the DofE award I would not lead the life I do now. I remember looking up at the mountains as we drove past them on family holidays. I want to walk up them, to be out in the wild, to be free. My family were not into the great outdoors though so we never climbed the mountains. Then I was given the opportunity to do DofE at school and I jumped at the chance. I loved all of it but especially the expeditions. They gave me a sense of freedom and they taught me about team work and self determination. It sparked a love for adventure and the great outdoors that has never gone away and I have had so many great experiences and adventures since completing the award. Now, as a qualified walking and mountain bike leader I am giving back. I volunteer as a DofE supervisor for the Gurlguides and at the time of the announcement of the Duke of Edinburgh's death I was supervising a Gold DofE expedition in Devon. Different from usual due to Covid but still a huge challenge and a pleasure to give back and give others the chance to experience what I did and maybe, just maybe carve out a new route in life as a consequence.