Matt Cordas
I have been involved with the DofE for well over 10 years now - having completed Bronze, Silver & Gold Awards, an employee of St. James's Place whom supported the Adventure, and an ambassador within SJP to champion DofE.
For me, there is no bigger value-add thing for a young-person than the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
It has truely helped me foster my adventurous side. Before being involved, I was an incredibly shy, quiet and not physically motivated young person. Never a fan of cross-country running (or "real" PE activities), a very independent person and really set within myself.
I completed my DofE Awards in-conjunction with the Royal Air Force Cadets (a youth group for the RAF). Through them, specifically an absolute hero of a person in Helen Woodham (our Cadet leader), I embraced the challenge and positive things the award has to offer.
As part of the Queen's Jubilee, I was asked by the RAF Cadets to be part of a local parade. As you can see in the enclosed photo, I got the honor to meet The Queen and HRH in May 2012 - it was a day me and my family will always remember. And I will always remember what they said, when they come over to look over the vegetable basket I was holding:
-Queen: “oh Philip look at this lovely potato”
-Philip: “oh I really do love a potato; you used to cook them so well”. and the Queen chuckled to herself
At that moment, to me, that sounded like one happy and joyful marriage.
To the Duke, you were an inspiration to many - myself included. Your legacy will always remain with us; and most noteably with those millions of young-people that will champion the DofE Award in your memory and honor.
For me, there is no bigger value-add thing for a young-person than the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
It has truely helped me foster my adventurous side. Before being involved, I was an incredibly shy, quiet and not physically motivated young person. Never a fan of cross-country running (or "real" PE activities), a very independent person and really set within myself.
I completed my DofE Awards in-conjunction with the Royal Air Force Cadets (a youth group for the RAF). Through them, specifically an absolute hero of a person in Helen Woodham (our Cadet leader), I embraced the challenge and positive things the award has to offer.
As part of the Queen's Jubilee, I was asked by the RAF Cadets to be part of a local parade. As you can see in the enclosed photo, I got the honor to meet The Queen and HRH in May 2012 - it was a day me and my family will always remember. And I will always remember what they said, when they come over to look over the vegetable basket I was holding:
-Queen: “oh Philip look at this lovely potato”
-Philip: “oh I really do love a potato; you used to cook them so well”. and the Queen chuckled to herself
At that moment, to me, that sounded like one happy and joyful marriage.
To the Duke, you were an inspiration to many - myself included. Your legacy will always remain with us; and most noteably with those millions of young-people that will champion the DofE Award in your memory and honor.
