Spring appeal - The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Skip to content

Too many young people are missing out on doing their DofE

Not because they lack motivation or potential, but because rising living costs mean extra help is needed to get them started.

With 4.5 million young people living in poverty, raising vital funds to improve access to high-quality activities like the DofE matters more than ever.

A young person jumps head-first through a hoop held by a teacher in a gym hall to practice circus skills for their Skills section.

The DofE was life-changing for Harvey

“DofE has played a big part in shaping my future, because it’s just made me so much more of a confident person than I used to be.”

Harvey has curly brown hair, is wearing a white t-shirt and boxing gloves and leans on the edge of a boxing ring.

DofE Manager and teacher Ruth

“It’s absolutely essential that students from low-income families get to do DofE. I think for some students DofE is quite a lifeline. They might not get loads of nines in their GCSEs, but actually they’re going to be really successful in this. And if we can help them build their confidence then they will be able to take part in new activities, they will be able to develop their resilience, and with confidence and resilience the sky’s the limit.”

D of E Leader Ruth smiling on a football field wearing a blue coat and holding a football under each arm.

Support young people today

Why your support matters

DofE Manager and teacher Ruth sees every day how rising living costs are affecting young people and their families, and how easily starting a DofE programme can feel out of reach.

In this short video, she explains why support matters now and the difference you can make.

 

dofe_testimonial_arrow dofe_testimonial_arrow
A young person standing under a basketball hoop after throwing a ball towards it.
“I think the one thing I would want to tell donors that the DofE has done for me is it's just made me so much more confident in myself in what I can do – it's beyond what I thought was possible. I feel like I can do so much more now.”
Ella
DofE participant
“It’s hard on everyone, like everything’s going up and it’s just harder to live than it used to be. I’ve seen my mum struggle for money a little bit more recently than she used to. I would never have been able to do DofE because I would never have been able to afford it. Most of the people in the group wouldn’t have been able to do their DofE without the funding they received.”
Harvey
DofE participant

How your donation can help young people

Donations to the DofE help remove the financial barriers than can stop young people from taking part. Things like:

  • Bronze, Silver and Gold participation places.
  • Bursaries to help a young person with equipment costs, like walking boots, sleeping bag and rucksack.
  • Expedition equipment for Licensed Organisations, like tents, cooking equipment and first aid kits.

That support can be the difference between a young person starting their DofE or missing out entirely.

As young people prepare to start their DofE this September, your donation can help make sure support is in place for those who need it most.

Please donate today and give young people like Harvey and Ella the chance to build the skills they need to overcome today’s toughest challenges.

Your gift today can give them the chance to build the confidence, resilience and self-belief to overcome today’s toughest challenges.

Support young people today

The DofE Charity relies on generous support to keep doing what it does best, and we’re committed to raising funds in a way that’s safe, respectful and transparent. Our responsible fundraising policy is designed to underpin this approach. Read our responsible fundraising policy.

Opportunity Finder

This link opens an external site. All content is not affiliated with DofE. Please click proceed if you understand these risks.