A teenager struck gold with the help of the RNLI in Gravesend.

Natasha Richards, 19, completed her gold Duke of Edinburgh Award after a year and a half of hard work.

It included volunteer work at the station in Royal Pier Road, where she helped the crew with various tasks and joined them on exercise.

Natasha, who loved her time with the RNLI and said she learned a lot from the experience, said: “It was amazing being with all the guys in the station with the different crew members each day.

“It was quite daunting at first going into a whole organisation where I had no idea who anyone was, but I actually loved it.

“I got to drive the boat at times on exercises. It was quite an amazing thing to come back and tell my friends what I did.”

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an opportunity for 14-24 year-olds to enjoy different activities from volunteer work to sports.

To achieve gold, you have to put in at least 12 months of work, including an expedition and a residential activity requiring you to stay away from home for five nights.