DofE Awards Fundraising Challenge
Money will help under privileged kids take part in the award scheme
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (the DofE) is launching #DoIt4Youth - a 4-part, 4-week DofE inspired sponsored challenge to raise money to support young people across the UK.
Welsh TV presenter Matt Johnson will be captaining Team Wales, encouraging his home country to raise funds to help young people from the toughest backgrounds to build life-long belief in themselves through doing their DofE.
This summer the DofE is encouraging people to team up with friends, family and colleagues to complete 4 fun packed DofE inspired challenges in 4 weeks with the money raised supporting young people and where it’s needed the most.
DO IT 4 YOUTH - 4 challenges. 4 weeks. All for youth
The 4 exciting DofE inspired challenges are: GET UP where you can choose a physical activity like cycling, walking, running or climbing, SKILL UP where you can learn a new skill, FREE UP where you can give up something like junk food, sugar, meat or social media and HAND UP where you can lend a hand in your local community.
The fundraiser is backed by local well know faces, or ‘DofE Team Captains’ and each captain is paired with a young DofE Award holder. Together they will encourage people in their regions or countries to take part in #DoIt4Youth. Every pound raised will help young people from the toughest backgrounds gain the confidence, skills and experience they need to overcome whatever life throws their way. £25 could provide an hour’s mental health coaching and support for DofE participants who need it.
The DofE Team Captains include Paralympian Hannah Cockroft, The Vamps guitarist and ‘I’m a Celebrity’ star James McVey, journalist and broadcaster Alice Beer, TV presenters Matt Johnson and Zoe Salmon, Harry Potter star Oliver Phelps and Invictus medalist JJ Chalmers.
Ruth Marvel, CEO of the DofE, said: “After the year we’ve had Do It 4 Youth is a fantastic opportunity for us to meet face to face, have fun and reconnect after lockdown while raising vital funds to help young people build back after the pandemic.
"The last year of isolation has affected us all, especially young people. It is estimated one million young people could be locked out of education, employment and training as a result of the pandemic.
"The money raised from Do It 4 Youth will help more marginalised young people join the DofE, helping them build a lifelong belief in themselves to follow their passions, discover new talents and cope with what life throws at them in later life.”
Wales Captain Matt Johnson, who will be learning the harmonica as his skills challenge, said: ‘" The DofE has helped millions of young people to discover their talents, strengths, and abilities.
"Young people need our support more than ever in these challenging times. Lockdown has affected some young people's mental health and the DofE can help to build confidence and resilience giving them the opportunity to make a positive impact.
"The money you raise will ensure that many more are able to reach their potential. So come on Wales, DoIt4Youth!"
Welsh Team Co-Captain and Gold DofE Award holder Lucy Aur said, “Everyone has been impacted by pandemic in vastly different ways. One thing that has been a consistent support to me is the DofE award.
"The community of friends I have made through the award became my support network but it was through the challenges - to get up, learn new skills and get physical that I was reminded of my own resilience.
"Do it 4 youth is inspired by the DofE awards, not only will you be pushing yourself, you will be making a positive difference by raising vital funds to ensure no young person is disadvantaged in their desire to take on the DofE award. An award that is unique to every individual and can change and shape lives ."
Lucy continued, “I am ecstatic to co-captain Team Wales with Matt Johnson for Do it 4 youth. This summer is set up to be an exceptional one, we are going to raise as much money as we can by learning the harmonica, giving up junk food, climbing the 3 peaks and helping young people in Wales who are struggling with mental health. It's going to be an incredibly rewarding experience.”
The challenge is open to anyone with any ability and is a chance for those who have never done DofE to get a taste of what it might have been like. People can do it alone or as a team. They can pick their own start date from 10 June but must complete it within 4 weeks and by 30 September 2021. Everyone who raises £100 or more will receive their very own #DoIt4Youth commemorative pin kindly donated by NEXT plc, which can be worn to show support for young people across the UK and The Duke’s legacy.