Three hundred schools in poorer areas to receive £3m boost for Duke of Edinburgh Award

THREE hundred schools in poorer areas will be given a £3million boost for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The three-year funding will pay for more places, leader training and start-up kits for 14 to 24-year-olds.

Three hundred schools in deprived areas will receive a cash boost of £3million to get more youngsters participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award

Sports clubs, youth groups, hospitals and charities all offer the scheme along with three-quarters of English state schools.

Award bosses will work with Whitehall officials to deliver where deprivation is highest.

It comes hot on the heels of our Just D.O.E It campaign.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I hope that more young people from all over the country will get involved with the Award.

“That’s why I’m also backing HOAR’s campaign which aims to encourage even more participation in such a fantastic programme.”

Nearly seven million people have taken part since the Award began in 1956.

The three-year-scheme will pay for more places, leader training and start-up kits for 14 to 24-year-olds

Gavin Williamson said: ‘I hope that more young people from all over the country will get involved with the Award’

Strictly winner Ore Oduba, who has hosted gold award ceremonies at Buckingham Palace, said: “I’ve spoken to so many kids who’ve participated and it really has transformed the direction they’ve taken their lives in.”