Lucy plays key role in memorial service
A DUKE of Edinburgh Gold Award holder from Llanelli was among those who played a key role in Prince Philip’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey.
Nine recent Gold Award holders – dressed in bright purple DofE jackets – lined the Abbey steps as guests arrived – an element of Prince Philip’s original funeral plan that was unable to go ahead at the time because of Covid restrictions.
They included Lucy Aur, 22, from Llanelli. Lucy struggled with anxiety growing up and was a carer for her grandma. She said the DofE awards programme helped her mental health and impacted her life more than she ever imagined. Gold Award holder Doyin Sonibare delivered a special tribute in Westminster
Abbey in front of senior British and foreign royals, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and a congregation of 1,800 people as they gathered to remember the Queen’s consort, who died last year.
The 28-year-old from London achieved her Bronze, Silver and Gold awards in the duke’s youth adventure scheme, which he set up more than 60 years ago.
Ms Sonibare, who is now an account executive and studying for a PhD in sickle cell research and health inequalities, told attendees the skills she gained from taking part in the DofE award helped her secure her first job when she was 18.
Ruth Marvel, chief executive of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said before the service: “Today is an opportunity to celebrate the Duke’s incredible legacy and his vision in creating the DofE charity which has helped generations of young people develop the skills, resilience and self-belief they need to thrive, whatever life throws at them.
“The Duke founded the DofE because he knew that, with the right opportunities, young people’s potential is limitless.”
Following Prince Philip’s death in April last year, the DofE launched the Living Legacy Fund in his memory to support its aim to reach a million more young people by 2026, with projects to reach marginalised young people and expanding the DofE in prisons and young offender institutions.
Since it was set up in 1956, nearly seven million have joined the scheme in the UK with over three million achieving awards.