It was a truly wonderful experience. It not only allowed me to take up volunteering for the fire service and lifeboat but allowed me to challenge myself in areas of weakness and fear. It also allowed me to experience the wilder parts of Great Britain, like the Brecon Beacons and Bodmin Moor on foot and Dorset on a bike.

Those who I did it with went on to serve across many areas including the fire service and military and I became a teacher of business and economics but have always been an ambassador for this fine award. I loved it then and will always hold those memories of growing up fondly. Just wish that I had not left home before finishing off an element of the Gold Award!

God bless the inspiration Duke of Edinburgh for having the vision to scale up something positive he experienced at school and sharing it with many generations around the world.