I found out about the Duke of Edinburgh Award as a Scout in Lincoln. Taking part in the Gold Award involved me with Cycle Maintenance, Badminton, National Trust Acorn Camps, Mountain Walking and Chairing the Birmingham University Duke of Edinburgh Award Group (BUDEAG). I met many friends as an Award Participant and found myself fundraising for the 1992 British Olympic Team, learning about Mountain Leadership at Plas Y’Brenin in Wales, being a Steward for the Royal Tent at Windsor during the 25th anniversary of the DoE Award Scheme. The Gold Award provided a platform that launched other activities: I was a Venturer on the Raleigh International 94A Chile Expedition and found myself taking leadership roles; I sailed in a Force 11 on the Sir Winston Churchill schooner in the North Atlantic with the Sail Training Association. i spent time working in the Canadian Rockies with BUNAC Work Canada. I studied Development Training at St Martin’s College in the Lake District and reflected on the design of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. I feel that the Duke’s legacy with his DoE scheme is solid. He provided opportunities that helped me / others grow and develop during our youth. I had adversity in my life in my 20’s and the lessons I learnt on the DoE scheme helped me get through this. I am now an Associate Member of the Institute of Outdoor Learning and help train Social Workers in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. If you’re a young person reading this, I encourage you to get involved in the DoE scheme - lots of fun and it’s very prestigious!