Malcolm Kelly
D - dedication
U - understanding
K - kindle
E - endeavour
64 years have passed since I was awarded my medals in 1957/58 .
Through a miasma of mist I am 19 again grappling with kayaks, lake swimming, canoeing, climbing, abseiling mountains reaching the sky all wrapped up in comradeship ,excitement, determination, mutual encouragement food that wouldn't cook, torrential rain and a wonderful shared Yorkie bar!
Leadership skills the D of E scheme taught led to a new world. Manchester YMCA ,Waterloo Rugby, Boxing, table tennis against Peking University - a desire to do my bit.
Youth clubs, Salford Carnival. Initiating the youth group of the Salford Companionship Circle for the elderly. It proved to be a somewhat breathless apprenticeship for the rest of my life.
It led to my meeting my wonderful wife Jan who married me 57 years ago who has been my partner and best friend in all I have strived to do.
I worked as Coroner on the Isle of Man for 27 years after we came to live here in 1970 with our 2 young children.
I was able to use this position firstly as Area Org. of Save the Children for many years before establishing Age ConcernIOM over here and also The Manx Housing Trust both of which I am still Chairman of after after around 30 years, we have housed several thousands of families and our services have never been more in demand due to the pandemic .
I have been privileged to meet the Queen and the Duke a few times when they visited the Island and I was Coroner. The last time was when I was presented with Maundy Money by her Majesty at Westminster Abbey which was on her 85th birthday exactly 10 years ago. Amongst the coins was silver 50p honouring the Duke's 90th birthday which I greatly treasure.
I had gone full circle!
Thank you Duke of Edinburgh .You have shaped my retirement as you have the whole of my adult life as you will shape the lives of countless young people all over the world now and in generations yet to come.
U - understanding
K - kindle
E - endeavour
64 years have passed since I was awarded my medals in 1957/58 .
Through a miasma of mist I am 19 again grappling with kayaks, lake swimming, canoeing, climbing, abseiling mountains reaching the sky all wrapped up in comradeship ,excitement, determination, mutual encouragement food that wouldn't cook, torrential rain and a wonderful shared Yorkie bar!
Leadership skills the D of E scheme taught led to a new world. Manchester YMCA ,Waterloo Rugby, Boxing, table tennis against Peking University - a desire to do my bit.
Youth clubs, Salford Carnival. Initiating the youth group of the Salford Companionship Circle for the elderly. It proved to be a somewhat breathless apprenticeship for the rest of my life.
It led to my meeting my wonderful wife Jan who married me 57 years ago who has been my partner and best friend in all I have strived to do.
I worked as Coroner on the Isle of Man for 27 years after we came to live here in 1970 with our 2 young children.
I was able to use this position firstly as Area Org. of Save the Children for many years before establishing Age ConcernIOM over here and also The Manx Housing Trust both of which I am still Chairman of after after around 30 years, we have housed several thousands of families and our services have never been more in demand due to the pandemic .
I have been privileged to meet the Queen and the Duke a few times when they visited the Island and I was Coroner. The last time was when I was presented with Maundy Money by her Majesty at Westminster Abbey which was on her 85th birthday exactly 10 years ago. Amongst the coins was silver 50p honouring the Duke's 90th birthday which I greatly treasure.
I had gone full circle!
Thank you Duke of Edinburgh .You have shaped my retirement as you have the whole of my adult life as you will shape the lives of countless young people all over the world now and in generations yet to come.
