It is 20 years ago this summer since I received my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and I don’t think I had ever mentioned it to my children. So, when they found out that I had achieved the Gold Award following The Duke’s passing my 9-year old turned to me and said “You must be so proud.” And, you know what? I am.

Aside from having children, I would say that achieving the Gold Award and being invited to attend the Palace garden party, is still one of my proudest achievements. From planning, and then executing, the expeditions in the Peak District (cursing if you had mis-read the contours on the map!), to the residential in the Highlands of Scotland, all laid the foundations for the person that I am today. I certainly draw on the skills of resilience and determination now as I run my own business.

It also sparked a life-long passion for camping and the outdoors (although now I choose to do it without carrying my tent and all my provisions on my back!) It is a passion that I have passed on to my children and I would strongly encourage them to both take part in this scheme when they are old enough. A heartfelt thank you to HRH Philip The Duke of Edinburgh and everyone involved in the scheme.