Resilience:

boundary breaker
of the year

Rosa with short brown hair stands confidently with their arms crossed, smiling at the camera. They are wearing a red zip-up hoodie. In the background, there is a climbing wall with various colorful holds and routes. The setting appears to be an indoor climbing gym.

ROSA

In January 2024, Rosa’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Feeling unwell, she visited A&E, not realising she wouldn’t return home for a month. Treatment began immediately. Her first question after being diagnosed was, “Can I still do my DofE?”

Rosa refused to let her illness define her. “If I have to go through this negative and horrible experience, then I should at least get something good out of it,” she said, committing to completing three sections of her Bronze Award while undergoing intensive treatment in hospital.

Since Rosa spent most of her time in hospital, she adapted her DofE activities to fit her new circumstances. For her Skills section, she swapped singing lessons for breathing exercises and singing with a volunteer guitarist at the hospital – a weekly highlight that lifted her spirits.

“When you’re an inpatient in hospital, everything gets taken away from you. Getting to climb again felt so normal and meant so much.” 

ROSA

journey to becoming
boundary breaker of the year

Rosa in a maroon hoodie stands at the base of an indoor rock climbing wall, looking up as they prepare to climb. The wall is adorned with various colorful climbing holds, and ropes are secured above. The environment is well-lit, emphasizing the climbing features.

Rosa during her chemotherapy treatment in hospital.

Rosa's last chemotherapy treatment.

Rosa rings the bell, signalling the end of her chemotherapy.

Rosa helping out at her local GirlGuiding unit for her Volunteering section.

Her real passion, though, was rock climbing, which she discovered through her DofE. During treatment, Rosa worked with a physiotherapist to regain her strength for her Physical section. Between cycles of chemotherapy, she managed a climbing session – an important glimpse of normality during an otherwise trying time.

For her Volunteering section, Rosa focused on running activities for young people on her ward who were struggling with the hairloss of their chemotherapy. She found enjoyment in providing a welcome distraction for others. “Even just one hour of fun can help you forget the horrible situation for a little while,” she said, adding that the experience boosted her own wellbeing too.

“The impact Rosa had while she was in hospital was just amazing to watch, because she was in a horrible situation but she was really looking for ways to make it better, not just for herself, but for other people too.”

Rachel
Rosa's mum

Rachel and Rosa are standing in a garden, smiling as they hold a bird. Rachel, wearing a green jacket and a scarf, is looking at Rosa, who is wearing a red jacket. They are surrounded by greenery and a wooden fence, with some gardening tools and pots visible in the background.Rachel and Rosa are standing in a garden, smiling as they hold a bird. Rachel, wearing a green jacket and a scarf, is looking at Rosa, who is wearing a red jacket. They are surrounded by greenery and a wooden fence, with some gardening tools and pots visible in the background.

Rosa’s resilience, determination and adaptability earned her the Boundary Breaker of the Year award, a recognition her mum, Rachel, described as a fitting tribute to her efforts. “This is Youth is a great way to celebrate everything Rosa has achieved through her DofE,” she said.

Now cancer-free and back at school, Rosa is ready for her next adventure: her Silver DofE. She’s especially excited to take on the expedition and return to her favourite activity – climbing. Rosa also hopes to inspire others facing challenges. “Sometimes it’s not about waiting for it to be over,” she says. “It’s about adapting to the situation, figuring out a way around them.”

special mention

Rosa is climbing a colorful indoor rock climbing wall, secured by a harness and ropes. The wall is covered with various climbing holds in different shapes and colors, and the climber is positioned near the top, looking down. The indoor climbing gym has a high ceiling and bright lighting.
Kaydon is seated on a handcycle, positioned on a paved path beside a green field. They are wearing a black helmet, sunglasses, a gray hoodie, camouflage shorts, and black sandals. They are holding the hand pedals of the bike with both hands and looking at the camera with a neutral expression. The handcycle has three wheels and is adapted for accessibility, with a low seat and handlebars connected to the front wheel. The background features a bright, open countryside landscape with green grass, hedges, and scattered trees under an overcast sky.

kaydon

Kaydon, a young man with visual impairment and cerebral palsy, has earned a special mention as a Boundary Breaker in This is Youth. His DofE journey is a testament to his resilience, kindness, and determination – his incredible ability to overcome personal challenges with a positive outlook.

Kaydon excelled in all four sections of his Award. He volunteered at an RNIB charity shop, gaining customer service experience and money-handling skills. His love for music shone in his singing performances that lifted spirits in the community and local care homes. For his Physical section, he trained “like a Trojan” on a hand bike, completing a challenging 17km expedition on the hottest day of the year.

Nicknamed "Speedy" for his hand-biking prowess, Kaydon gained freedom and newfound confidence through his training. After a school friend’s passing, he honoured their memory by completing a 5km parkrun with his walking frame – a powerful display of his grit and determination.

Now an adult volunteer, Kaydon supports students with visual impairments and mobility challenges in their own DofE journeys. His dream of becoming a pastry chef is already underway with a new job at a local café, exemplifying his courage and determination to break boundaries and inspire others. 

meet the winners

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a registered charity in England and Wales (1072490) and Scotland (SC038254). © The Duke of Edinburgh's Award 2023
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