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Duke of Edinburgh meets teens making a difference

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News, Cambridgeshire
DofE Four youngsters wearing mid-blue casual sports jackets talk to Prince Edward who is wearing a black sport jacket. They are in a football stadium.DofE
Prince Edward met young people who are studying, playing football and working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, has been meeting with young people who have made a difference to their communities by taking part in a royal award programme.

The group in Peterborough have been working their way to achieving a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award.

The awards aim to help young people discover passions, gain skills and build resilience and self-belief.

Participant Tom Brett, who is working towards his silver award through community group Chatterbox, said it was "amazing" to meet the duke.

DofE Young people wearing T-shirts with around a table with the Duke of Edinburgh and two other adults, chatting.DofE
The Duke of Edinburgh talked to people about how Boxing Futures has helped them

"When I was younger, I struggled with controlling my anxiety, being antisocial, not wanting to break out of my comfort zone," said Mr Brett.

The 21-year-old, who left school early, said his life changed after he joined Boxing Futures, visited by the Duke.

"I feel like I'm moving towards something. I got fitter, I just started losing weight. It all feels rewarding and then you have a community backing you, people in your corner."

Mr Brett now volunteers at Boxing Futures, which is a charity combining the DofE award with non-contact boxing and therapeutic talk to reduce loneliness and improve young people's physical and mental health.

DofE The Duke of Edinburgh stands outside of a boxing ring with Joe Osman who has a hat and beard.DofE
Joe Osman, who manages the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme at Boxing Futures, showed Prince Edward around

The duke also visited Peterborough United's stadium to hear from pupils doing a DofE and working towards a BTEC and A Levels in sport in partnership with Nene Park Academy.

He ended his day at the Railworld Wildlife Haven, where he met students from local schools, completing their volunteering section at the centre.

Michael, 15, who achieved his Bronze Award, said: "I really enjoyed the process of working my body harder physically, seeing the end result, the difference I made and how much people appreciated my work."

The DofE Award was set up by the late Prince Philip for young people "who might otherwise lack opportunities".

Aimed at those aged 14-24, youngsters choose activities which help them improve skills, volunteering for a cause of their choice, and completing a demanding expedition.

DofE A man with a spade digging the ground. Behind him are parts of old locomotive trains. School-aged teenagers watch the Prince digging. Trees surround the garden and it is winter so the trees are bare of leaves.DofE
Prince Edward helped out Duke of Edinburgh volunteers dig gardens at Railworld Wildlife Haven

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