Suzanne Whitewood MBE
In 1963 I was my town’s 1st Queen’s Guide and looking for another challenge. I was the 1st female in my county (IW) to obtain a D of E Record Book. found my own instructors and assessors and Guides joined me on expeditions. One friend and I gained our Bronze Awards and represented our county at a large youth gathering where we met HRH Princess Margaret.
Silver followed and I was honoured to be presented with my Silver Award by Lord Mountbatten, who was Governor of the Isle of Wight.
I pressed on to Gold and achieved this in 1966. What a thrill to go to Buckingham Palace and receive the Gold Award from the Duke himself. Confidence gained through the Awards led me to volunteering as a Girlguiding Leader where I passed on the benefits of D of E to others. This new confidence also led me into careers in the NHS and Education.
Changing career in 1982 I was involved with the education of school refusers. They got the D of E message.
1996 and in a main-stream secondary school working with students with additional needs I took on running the school's D of E Group. Over the years hundreds of students were enrolled. Many went on to achieve great things whilst others were given inspiration and a knowledge of the outdoors which kept them out of trouble.
I attended a Gold presentation at St. James’ Palace when one of my students received her Gold Award and I was presented to HRH Prince Edward.
Coming up to retirement I was still out on hikes+ I was meeting some of my ex-students now D of E Leaders themselves. In 2011 I was honoured with an MBE for my service to the IW community. This meant a return to Buckingham Palace. The thrill was just the same as in 1966.
Retirement, but I returned every week to run D of E. In 2014. I was presented with a special ’48 years’ award by HRH Prince Edward. In 2016, I celebrated 50 years since receiving my Gold. The Duke’s inspiration for starting the Awards has helped so many. HRH was a great man and leaves an even greater legacy.
Silver followed and I was honoured to be presented with my Silver Award by Lord Mountbatten, who was Governor of the Isle of Wight.
I pressed on to Gold and achieved this in 1966. What a thrill to go to Buckingham Palace and receive the Gold Award from the Duke himself. Confidence gained through the Awards led me to volunteering as a Girlguiding Leader where I passed on the benefits of D of E to others. This new confidence also led me into careers in the NHS and Education.
Changing career in 1982 I was involved with the education of school refusers. They got the D of E message.
1996 and in a main-stream secondary school working with students with additional needs I took on running the school's D of E Group. Over the years hundreds of students were enrolled. Many went on to achieve great things whilst others were given inspiration and a knowledge of the outdoors which kept them out of trouble.
I attended a Gold presentation at St. James’ Palace when one of my students received her Gold Award and I was presented to HRH Prince Edward.
Coming up to retirement I was still out on hikes+ I was meeting some of my ex-students now D of E Leaders themselves. In 2011 I was honoured with an MBE for my service to the IW community. This meant a return to Buckingham Palace. The thrill was just the same as in 1966.
Retirement, but I returned every week to run D of E. In 2014. I was presented with a special ’48 years’ award by HRH Prince Edward. In 2016, I celebrated 50 years since receiving my Gold. The Duke’s inspiration for starting the Awards has helped so many. HRH was a great man and leaves an even greater legacy.
