I completed the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards while in the Scouts in the 1970s and faced many challenges, including doing my Gold Award expedition on Dartmoor in Autumn, 1976, when the weather broke after the long hot Summer. It was very stormy and I was doing it with people I had never met before from other parts of the country - yet we all got on well. I spent a week in bed afterwards with a stomach chill, during which I wrote my report. In the autumn of 1979, just over a year after I graduated, I started my career as a volunteer/leader when I became secretary to the South west Herts D. of E. Panel and got involved taking meeting minutes, helping to organise award presentations and fundraising events (as a runner, I raised money for the award, including the 1983 London Marathon and various other runs). During my time as Secretary, I founded a Gold Award holders club for Watford and the surrounding area. After a year, we had 20 members and were growing fast. While chairman, I helped organise a Gold Award Holders seminar for the old Eastern Region in 1983.
Not long after, in 1984, I was promoted in my career and came to Oxford, where I got involved again with the Award by joining the local Gold Award Holders club - Oxford Golds. Here, I had the greatest benefit from the scheme because I met my wife and we are still happily married nearly 33 years after our wedding in August 1988. For several years, I was vice chairman and publicity officer for the Golds. I have been involved with Oxped/OXpedCIC (the local D. of E. expedition group) since 1984, leading Bronze, Silver and Gold expeditions all over the country. The Award has helped me develop my leadership skills. in the 1990s, I set up an Open award group in my local area and have helped many young people through it. I have had challenges with candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds and they have gained. I could say so much more but space does not allow. I AM GREATLY TO THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.