I completed my bronze and silver DofE award. Working as a team proved both fun and challenging. This taught me that discipline and good team work can help you to solve any problems you may encounter. I always wanted to complete my Gold award but did not have the opportunity to do it as I moved to college and I knew no one who wanted to do it with me. I’d still love to complete it!

I have so many memories from doing both of these awards, from people face planting in mud to walking in 3ft of snow and falling through. Every time I came back home ready for a good bath, but with a big smile on my face and plenty of funny stories.

I loved how I made some great friendships with my peers and some friendships were made stronger through this. A member of my Silver DofE team sadly took his own life a few years ago and it provides great comfort that I got to know him really well and he was such a gentleman, assisting the female members of the group on tricky terrain.

Completing this award was one of my most fond memories and I will forever be grateful for doing it.

Thank you to The Duke of Edinburgh for creating this brilliant award. May he rest in peace.