I fell in love with walking whilst doing both expeditions for the bronze and silver awards. This love has continued into trail running in adulthood with a natural inquisitiveness to find new trails and enjoy our beautiful countryside. The expeditions made me truly resilient to endure some pain (mainly the shoulders carrying a pack) but also enduring a little hardship particularly having water on our muesli for breakfast! Of course we had tremendous laughs along the way and friendships cemented.

New skills were learnt and I obtained a qualification in lifeguarding as part of my service. I could never have known I would call upon this skill years later when I rescued my brother from the sea. The volunteering I did working in a Hospital lead me to my career today as a heart failure specialist nurse.

Taking part in the DofE really does shape you through life and it is with heartfelt gratitude to HRH Prince Philip for giving me the confidence to realise life is what you make it if you are bold enough to try!