When I was in year 9 I remember doing the DofE awards. I had broken my ankle three months before I was supposed to do it and thought I wasn’t going to be able to. But the whole expedition was an amazingly supportive and engaging experience that helped me get over my doubts. Not only towards my capability to walking 6 straight hours for two days but also in general, being in the wilderness felt foreign and uncertain till I got there and got to explore it all. I am incredibly grateful for such an amazing opportunity, the more challenging ones (like waking up with a Beatle in my sleeping bag) and all the fun ones like cooking and binding with not only my friends but new people like the leaders that were the main reason for this success!

Aside from the actual expedition, DofE gave me new experiences in my day to day life. For example encouraging volunteering work meant that I was able to develop my character outside of the expedition and carry on doing so even now.

Overall, I’d love to thank everyone involved in making these opportunities and awards happen. But also to the Duke of Edinburgh himself that started this and created all these opportunities for everyone. I hope you rest in peace.