A SERIOUS setback or 'fall' can either break or strengthen one's resolve to succeed. In Fung Lap-kee's case, there literally was a fall, but it only made him all the more determined to achieve his goal - to earn a gold in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme (DEA).
The fall occurred when Lap-kee was training in rock-climbing at a Forestry Work Camp in Yuen Long.
He was on a residential project (RP) to earn his gold medal. The RP is additional to the regular four sessions - service, expeditions, skills and physical recreation - required to get a Duke of Edinburgh Award.
'It was raining heavily,' Lap-kee said. 'I was polishing my rock-climbing skills on a concrete wall that had rocks embedded in it for gripping. Suddenly, I lost my grip. My camp mates saw me fall four metres to the ground - head first.' What next? Blood flowing profusely, ambulance sirens, a dash to the hospital, the emergency ward, stitches in the head, phone calls to parents.
Fortunately, Lap-kee suffered no concussion and was able to complete the rest of his RP session as if nothing had happened.
It all ended happily, topped with a memorable trip to Government House to receive his award from Governor Chris Patten himself, a 'once in a life-time honour', as Lap-kee described it.
The Form Seven science student confessed that since joining the DEA in Form Three most of his spare time has been devoted to activities aimed at getting his Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.
