I enrolled on the DofE programme at Stroud High School and despite lacking confidence and being in the shadow of my brighter older sister (who was head girl) I got stuck in to the various activities of the Award scheme, as a brownie leader, learning first aid, being in the first girls cricket team at school (and its captain), singing in the choir and going on a residential Guide camp as young leader in Guernsey. The greatest achievement however was preparing for my expedition in the summer of 1976 as part of the Scout Association's Explorer Belt trip to Corsica where we camped and trekked in the forests and mountains of the island, completing projects along the way. The team of four I was in was the only girls team to complete the expedition and receive our Explorer Belts, we stuck together and worked well as a team even when we had blisters, it was very hot, then surviving a thunderstorm - and receiving A Level results in the post! Through the Award I learned that I was capable of more than I thought and to keep going when things are tough, something that has helped me throughout my life since. I received my Award at Buckingham Palace in 1977 with my father as my guest and was very nervous about asking my boss for the day off to attend as I had only just started my first job (at the BBC) and wasn't allowed leave for the first 3 months! He was very pleased to give me the time off and contacted the staff newspaper so they could write about my achievement! HRH Prince Philip took time to speak to us all and remarked that he hadn't heard of anyone else doing their expedition in Corsica before. I remember the day very well and appreciated being able to meet the Duke, his passion for giving young people opportunities helped me to encourage my own daughter to get her Bronze Award. I have a lifelong interest in walking, the countryside and the environment due in part, I am sure, to Prince Philip's interest in these areas so I have much to thank him for.