My DofE story began when I was 14 as a Ranger Guide with the 1st Banff Rangers in the North East of Scotland. I completed my Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. My volunteering was done with Girlguiding and this continues to this very day where I have achieved 28 years service as a volunteer Girlguiding leader.
I had the opportunity to meet The Duke of Edinburgh at my Gold Award Ceremony at Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, in 1995. He took a moment to chat with myself and asked where I came from. When I said I came from Banff, he did laugh and advised that there was not much opportunity for youngsters in that area and it was great for me to achieve my award.
Having been inspired by my Ranger Leader, Monica McKay, and my expedition supervisor, another Guide Leader, Lorna Sarson, I have gone on to become the DofE Leader with Girlguiding Aberdeen & Shetland.
As volunteers of Girlguiding we deliver the DofE programme to our Guides, Rangers and Leaders across our area. We have so much enjoyment in giving our young members the opportunities to try something new and challenge themselves whilst having fun along the way.
I have a great team of volunteers in Girlguiding Aberdeen & Shetland who have also challenged themselves to get relevant walking qualifications to be able to supervise and assess our Girlguiding members on expeditions and with that, we have been able to take our girls to remote area's of the Scottish countryside that they would not have been able to do without the help and support of Girlguiding and the DofE Award.
It is an absolute privilege to be a Gold award holder and give back the opportunities to others as I got 30 years ago at the start of my journey.
I was honoured recently when some of my Gold Award participants invited me back to Holyrood as one of their guests for their Gold Award Ceremony - a truly rewarding experience and i'm sure I, along with our other Girlguiding Volunteers will continue to deliver such a rewarding programme. Thank you