I completed all three awards whilst I was an air cadet about a million years ago now. Whilst I have always loved being outdoors the award gave me the chance to try things that would never normally have been open to me. It has had a massive impact on me and I retain my love of the outdoors to this day.

In the past few years have been able to use some of the skills I learnt and developed all those years ago - resilience, determination, problem solving - as a member of our Local mountain rescue team. And after joking that I joined the team because I was good at getting lost (so many times whilst completing my awards - in the days before GPS and mobile phones) I have just started on the path to train my beautiful Border Collie Tali - one day we hope to grade as a Mountain Rescue search dog team - I feel exactly like I did on that first Bronze practice expedition, nervous, apprehensive, overwhelmed by the amount of work needed to succeed but most of all excited about the challenge.

Without the award I truly wouldn't be where I am today. I am so very grateful to have been able to have the opportunities I did and of course to meet His Royal Highness when I collected my award. Thankyou!!