Record donation to help marginalised young people

Thousands of young people, facing marginalisation, will have the chance to take part in the DofE, thanks to an extraordinary gift from long-standing supporters.

Gordon and Hilary Phillips have donated £1.5m to ensure young people from marginalised backgrounds can access the benefits of doing their DofE and achieving their Award. Gordon and Hilary are passionate about helping young people get the start they need in life and are worried about the impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on those with the least opportunities.

“We have spent our lives helping young people facing challenges because we know that those who struggle at school have reduced life chances. So many young people are struggling to cope at the moment and we want to give them a chance,” said Gordon, who is involved in education and health care.

Thanks to their generous donation, we have launched the Resilience Fund, aimed at helping young people start their DofE and develop the skills and attributes that will equip them for life and work. Their donation is focussed on our work in the UK’s deprived areas, especially in the North of England, London and Central England.

Gordon and Hilary hope that their gift will inspire other philanthropists to support the DofE charity, so it can help marginalised young people develop the resilience they need to overcome the unique challenges presented by the pandemic.

A huge thank you to Gordon and Hilary.