Completed my Gold Award back in 1988 with a real sense of achievement. Most memorable part had to be the 4 days expedition on Dartmoor where it rained so much we "camped" in a barn on the first night to avoid the flooding. Also, trying to navigate in the fog required all of our training. I spent my residential week away at RAF Shawbury successfully completing an air navigation course.

The award certainly shaped my career as I became a manager at YHA Adventure Shops after my A levels which then led to me doing ski seasons in the French Alps.

I still remember getting my Award from Prince Phillip and am very saddened by his death.