| DofE Press Release |
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| For immediate release: 05/03/13 | ||
| Welsh DofE participants join soldiers from the sixties at summit of Cadair Idris | ||
| A group of ‘ex-boy’ soldiers who earned their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards (DofE) in the 1960s during their time at Tonfanau army camp, Gwynedd, will be climbing Cadair Idris, Snowdonia, on 23rd March 2013, to mark the group’s 10th reunion and celebrate the valuable skills learnt while completing their DofE at the camp. | ||
| Now in their late 60s, members of the All Arms Junior Leaders Regiment (AAJLR), including three Gold DofE Award holders, reunite annually to recall their time at camp and the vital life lessons they learned when they were just 15-17 years of age, before going to serve in H.M. Forces across the world. | ||
| To help celebrate the experiences the ex-Junior Leaders gained while completing their DofE, the AAJLR climbers will be joined by fifteen DofE participants and their head teacher from Ysgol Dyffryn Taf School in Camarthenshire. These students are part of a pilot Young Leaders Programme to allow more young people at the school to develop skills for life and work through the DofE. | ||
| René Dee, member of The All Arms Junior Leaders Regiment Comrades Association who organised the anniversary climb, says: | ||
| “We are delighted to be joined by the DofE Young Leader participants from the school in Camarthenshire who will be able to share and learn from our story of the DofE fifty years ago. | ||
| I strongly believe that my success in life has certainly been down to the experiences that I encountered during my time at Tonfanau army camp, especially the DofE. I learnt how to survive and thrive. My climbing colleagues share these same views. | ||
| This is particularly relevant to the challenges that young people face today; we hope that this climb will help to inspire young people to connect with the experiences we gained and follow their own journey.” | ||
| Over 11,000 young people in Wales aged 14 – 24 currently start their DofE programme each year and demand is growing. The programme is currently delivered by 530 schools, youth services and voluntary groups across the country. | ||
| Stephanie Price, DofE Director for Wales who is joining the AAJLR Comrades on the climb along with three other DofE Wales staff members, says: | ||
| “This is a fantastic opportunity for the DofE participants of today to meet with DofE Award holders from a past generation. | ||
| It is gratifying to hear how highly the ‘boy soldiers’ from the 60s regard their DofE experience in helping them to develop the confidence and character which has helped them all on to interesting lives. | ||
| I think that both generations will have much to learn from each other, there will certainly be plenty of time to share stories and swap experiences on the four hour round trip to the summit. Hopefully these stories can be shared with the DofE participants our Young Leaders mentor and encourage other young people to complete their DofE and gain valuable life skills.” | ||
| The AAJLR members, DofE participants, Leaders and staff will be joined by William Powell, Regional Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales on the climb who will also acknowledge the work carried out by the Junior Leaders in helping to build the present day summit hut for those in need of shelter. A commemorative plaque will be placed in the Cadair Idris Visitor Centre following the climb. | ||
| The group will meet at the foot of Cadair Idris at 9am on Saturday 23rd March 2013. | ||
| Words: 573 | ||
| -Ends- | ||
| To organise photography or an interview with one of the AAJLR climbers or a current DofE participant or, for more information on the DofE in Wales, please contact: | ||
| Heather Richardson Communications Officer The DofE E: Heather.Richardson@DofE.org T: 01753 727472 M: 07741249489 |
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| Notes to editors | ||
| The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was founded in 1956 by its Patron HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. HRH The Earl of Wessex is a Trustee. | ||
| Over 300,000 young people were taking part in DofE programmes in the UK, supported by over 500 partner organisations and over 43,000 adult volunteers from all walks of life. | ||
| Last year 211,900 young people started a DofE programme. | ||
| 92,194 achieved a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, an increase of 13% from last year: Bronze: 61,139, Silver: 22,033, Gold: 9,022. | ||
| In total, over 4.4 million people have participated in DofE programmes and achieved over 2 million Awards in the UK since 1956. | ||
| Through the volunteering part of their programme, young people give their free time to society with a value of over £22.8 million per year and volunteers contribute over £14.7 million per year. | ||
| A survey, commissioned by the United Learning Trust, with major employers, found that a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the most highly valued experience when selecting employees. | ||
| The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a Registered Charity No 1072490 and in Scotland No SC038254 and a Royal Charter Corporation RC000806. | ||
| There are over 890,000 young people participating worldwide in 136 countries. | ||
| Since 1956, over 7 million people have taken part across the world, highlighting how the DofE can truly transcend boundaries of race, language, ethnicity and culture. | ||
| Further information can be found at www.DofE.org | ||
| The DofE Charity | ||
| Youth charity The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award supports over 275,000 people aged 14-24 every year. Our ethos is to enable every young person of every background to take part in our programmes and succeed, regardless of any barriers. We help instil a sense of adventure and have a lasting impact on young people’s behaviour, skills and life chances. | ||
| Our mission | ||
| To inspire, guide and support young people in their self-development and recognise their achievements. | ||
| DofE programmes | ||
| Anyone aged between 14 and 24 can do a programme at one of the three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. There are four sections at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. | ||
| Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community. | ||
| Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities. | ||
| Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests. | ||
| Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad. | ||
| At Gold level, participants must do an additional fifth Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home doing shared activity. | ||
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