I started my D of E award at school with many friends, achieved bronze then friends dropped out....I completed silver with a new group of friends I made at school. I left school having completed only part of my Gold award. Life got in the way so I had to join two different individual group to complete my gold expeditions in my twenties. I made amazing friends who I still keep in contact with. I loved the challenges and the sense of achievement on doing all the levels which set me up for life. I was a shy awkward youth and it helped me gain confidence in my own abilities succeeding where my friends gave up. The ultimate and most important reason for completing the gold was my mother wanted to meet the Duke of Edinburgh! When I gained my award I took my mother she wore a silver RNLI award on her lapel. The Duke looked over my shoulder and noticed my mums award and they had a discussion regarding her 25years plus fundraising for the RNLI why she did it and how she raised funds. He made her feel at ease spoke at length, made her day. It was just another special memory to add as my mother no longer with me....The Duke made a difference to both of us. My son completed his Bronze award in sept. 2019 has been working on his Silver has completed 3 out of 4 tasks despite this Pandemic....I have watched him grow and mature throughout the process. The Duke of Edinburgh left a lasting legacy for the youth to continue and enjoy in his name. I have also been volunteering with my sons school to help with the training sessions for the D of E award expeditions.