St Benedict’s Student Isabel Meets The Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace Gold Award Celebration

The event, held in the Palace gardens on 20 May, brought together more than 9,000 young people from across the UK who have successfully completed their Gold DofE Award. Isabel was one of a small number of award recipients invited to speak personally with The Duke during the celebration.

During their conversation, Isabel shared some of the challenges she faced while completing her Gold Award expedition.

My expedition was tough, but I had a very supportive team with me.

“My expedition was tough, but I had a very supportive team with me,” she told The Duke. “They learned First Aid just in case I needed help, which I am phenomenally grateful for. But, in return, I had to hear the boys sing Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal for several hours and numerous miles across the Yorkshire Moors – for a total of three days!”

The Duke laughed and replied: “Well, that’s a real test of your endurance!”

Isabel’s achievement is all the more extraordinary given the challenges she has faced. Diagnosed at the age of nine with the rare cancer metastatic paraganglioma of the bones, Isabel underwent major surgery before the cancer returned when she was 14. Last year, while undergoing six weeks of daily spinal radiotherapy, she was told her cancer was Stage 4 and terminal.

Despite this, Isabel remained determined to complete her Gold Award.

Speaking previously at a school assembly, she reflected on the experience:

“Everyone’s experiences of the DofE expedition are different, valuable and deeply personal to them, but there are very common themes that run through them all; teamwork, commitment, perseverance, communication and organisation.

“I did my expedition after six weeks of daily spinal radiotherapy. The hikes were long, averaging over 20km each day, but I was determined to do it. On occasions, the boys would know when I’d had enough – I was very well looked after by them. The support from our unfailing adult volunteers in the background was also amazing.”

Linda Brown, DofE Programme Manager at St Benedict’s, praised Isabel’s determination:

In over 40 years of being a DofE leader, I don’t think I have ever come across such an amazingly determined young person as Isabel. It has been an absolute pleasure to support her in overcoming every obstacle in her path at each level of the DofE and to ensure she could complete her Gold Award. It is an incredible achievement and so richly deserved.

Linda Brown,DOFe Programme Manager at St Benedict's

Headmaster Joe Smith added:

“Everyone at the school is immensely proud of Isabel and this remarkable achievement. Completing her Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award is an extraordinary accomplishment in its own right, but what makes Isabel’s journey particularly inspiring is the courage, determination, resilience and positivity she has shown throughout.

Despite facing immense challenges, Isabel has continued to embrace opportunities, support those around her and approach life with remarkable resilience. Her strength of character has been an inspiration to students and staff alike and we could not be more proud of her.

Joe Smith, Headmaster 

“Despite facing immense challenges, Isabel has continued to embrace opportunities, support those around her and approach life with remarkable resilience. Her strength of character has been an inspiration to students and staff alike and we could not be more proud of her.”

The Gold DofE Award is the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme and requires participants to dedicate at least 12 months to volunteering, developing new skills, undertaking physical activities, completing an expedition and taking part in a residential experience.

Everyone at St Benedict’s congratulates Isabel on this outstanding achievement.