Maureen, from Waterlooville, has supported over 150 young people to develop lifelong skills and self-belief through the 2nd Leigh Park Girls' Brigade; she has been volunteering her time for the charity for over 40 years as Chair of the Havant & Waterlooville DofE Award Local Network for the last 20 years, and for 25 years, a member of Hampshire DofE Forum.
Hosted by The Duke as Patron of the DofE charity, Maureen, a DofE Leader, Expedition Trainer and Assessor, joined thousands of young people and their loved ones for a festival-style celebration in the Buckingham Palace Garden on Friday 22 May. Her daughter Helen Patis, 51 - herself a Gold Award holder since 1993 - and her granddaughter, Abigail Patis, 19, both from Waterlooville, stood proudly alongside her during the interaction, with Abigail picking up her own Gold Award that day.
The celebration was one of four taking place over two days at the Palace, recognising over 9,000 young people who have shown extraordinary perseverance, creativity and resilience to complete their Gold DofE in schools, community organisations, youth groups and workplaces, all over the UK.
Maureen, who is passionate about the Award and a role model to many delivering DofE programmes, was one of just a handful of people to personally speak to The Duke at the event.
During the exchange, Maureen, who has supported 25 young people to achieve their Gold Award, with her first being her daughter Sarah’s in 1990, told The Duke about her 40 years of service 'always with The Girls’ Brigade'.
In response, The Duke said: 'Wow, really? Congratulations for that. Really good to see you.'
Maureen’s granddaughter, Abigail, told The Duke about her own 'soggy' DofE Expedition, on Dartmoor in the pouring rain - contrasting with the sunny weather at the Gold Award celebrations. The Duke replied: 'On days like this it’s just as hard, but in a different way. Well done.'
For the Gold Award celebration event, the Buckingham Palace Garden had been transformed into a festival-style celebration for young people and their loved ones, with giant deckchairs, bunting, and activities – including some very special touches in recognition ofthe DofE charity’s 70th anniversary.
Attendees heard from famous DofE Award holder Dame Kelly Holmes MBE OLY and picked up career advice from Strictly Come Dancing's Katya Jones, entrepreneur Sara Davies MBE, actress Molly Rainford and presenter Tyler West, content creator and 1/7 of the YouTube Group ‘Sidemen’, Vikkstar’, former England goalkeeper David Seaman MBE and TV and radio presenter Jaz Singh, at stages throughout the garden.
