The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award asks for UK’s help in creating historic collection of ‘DofE memories’ in tribute to HRH Prince Philip

Share your DofE memories at DofE.org.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is asking for the help of the 6.7 million people across the UK who have done their DofE in creating the first-ever nationwide collection of ‘DofE memories’ in tribute to HRH Prince Philip and to inspire even more young people to take part.

The charity is asking anyone who’s been involved in the DofE across the decades – from current participants and older alumni to the tens of thousands of people who help deliver the DofE across the UK every year – to go to DofE.org and share their experiences in celebration of The Duke’s legacy.

The stories will be used to inspire more young people to start creating their own memories with DofE. And the charity will present a physical copy to the Royal Collection, so the stories can be remembered forever.

The collection already includes memories from well-known alumni such as actress Nina Wadia, Paralympian Hannah Cockcroft and adventurer Levison Wood.

In her memory, Paralympian Hannah Cockcroft MBE said: “I completed my bronze award in 2007 and learnt a level of independence and resilience that I have taken forward with me and that I am sure I would not have had my level of sporting success without. Through the award, I gained the confidence that I can do anything I want to, with a little bit of help. I will forever be grateful to The Duke of Edinburgh for giving me the experiences and opportunities that I have had through his charity and the support they continue to provide.”

In his memory, Gold Award holder, Jack, 20, said: “Because of the behavioural issues that I had, I was just described as that average naughty kid, always in trouble. When I was in my worst stages [of mental health], I was doing DofE, it was an escape for me. I was more passionate than I ever was in life about wanting to achieve something that I really enjoyed. That started me to realise my potential as a good sports coach and that pointed me in the direction of wanting to become a PE teacher in later life. I was most proud going to Holyrood House…I had a lot of barriers put in my way and a lot of people saying I wouldn’t do stuff for myself, so to sit there and get a certificate presented to me by Prince Edward was a big achievement for me that I’ll never forget.”

Ruth Marvel, CEO of the DofE, said: “Nobody forgets their DofE – the connection with someone new while volunteering, the inedible meal you made around the campfire, the power at your fingertips as you learn to code. Yet it’s also often the changes that happen inside you that make the deepest impression: recognising how the skills, resilience and self-belief you’ve built through your DofE helped you be ready for anything.

“The incredible legacy of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh has empowered millions across the UK. Nearly 1 in 10 people has taken part in a DofE Bronze Award. We want to bring their stories together as a powerful tribute to HRH Prince Phillip and to inspire the next generation of young people to embark on their own DofE adventure.”