Around 150 young people from nine schools and two youth organisations took part in a special ‘Diamond Challenge’ event at Cardiff International White Water Centre as part of the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Charity (DofE).
HRH The Earl of Wessex arrived at the Centre on the Challenge Wales yacht and was greeted by the DofE’s Diamond Challenge champion for Wales, Tori James, and centre manager Ben Longhurst.
He then met young people taking part in kayaking, canoeing, rafting and climbing during the day, and some of the Diamond from across Wales, including one of the youngest Challengers, Millie Jones (8) from Swansea, who climbed to the summit of Snowdon in August.
There was Wales’ ‘highest’ fundraiser, Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE – Director of the Institute of Directors Wales – who raised over £7,000 climbing the Welsh 3 Peaks.
He also met Simon Clarke of Canoe Wales and David James who had completed a 15- mile stand up paddle board challenge down the River Wye with Tori James and TV presenter Andrea Byrne in August. The feat was part of Andrea’s Diamond Challenge which raised over £1,200.
Canoe Wales and CJCH Solicitors were partners of the event. CJCH donated towards the day to ensure as many young people as possible could access the activities, and Canoe Wales helped with the promotion of the event and helped arrange support with logistics.
“Throughout 2016, people are taking on a challenge from three DofE inspired themes – learn a skill, embark on an adventure or conquer a personal challenge,” said Tim Hartland, a partner at CJCH.
“This event was a great occasion and a wonderful showcase for the DofE programme and the Diamond Challenge, so we were very keen to play our part and ensure as many as possible could get involved.”
All Challengers are asked to raise a minimum of £60 for the DofE Charity to go towards increasing opportunities for all young people to start their DofE in the UK.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Charity (DofE) has supported millions of young people in the UK and across the globe to achieve DofE Awards since it was founded in 1956.
The DofE Diamond Challenge aims to give everyone a flavour of the life-changing benefits of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The funds raised by DofE Diamond Challengers will help the Charity reach its Diamond Ambition of enabling two million more young people access the DofE by 2020.
To find out more about The DofE Diamond Challenge and get involved visit: www.DofEDiamondChallenge.org
CJCH is a Wales top-20 law firm with headquarters in Cardiff. It has more than 100 staff spread across its headquarters and offices in Barry and Bridgend.
Further information about the firm is available at www.cjch.co.uk.
