At 34 years of age I am still learning how completion of the Duke of Edinburgh Award has been and continues to be a major influencing factor in my life. As I face different challenges I apply the skills and experiences gained during that time, many of which I was not aware I was developing. Although I did not necessarily take it as seriously as I should at the time I was doing the award, I have no doubt it taught me the importance of applying myself and pushing the limits of my ability and potential. To this day, I still set myself an objective each year to complete a physical challenge or to learn a new skill. I did not realise at the time of completing the award that I was developing the resources to face challenges and succeed in later life, but here I am, still drawing on that experience and benefitting from it.

My favouritememory of the award itself is of six great friends walking through the Kent countryside without a care in the world, other than a desperate search to find a radio just in time to hear David Beckham score a free kick and take us to the World Cup.

Thank you, Duke of Edinburgh.