Rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones calls on walkers in Wales to channel their inner Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – and help young people – by taking on Gower Walk challenge

 Ten- or 22- mile walk will raise money for young people in Wales to do a life-changing DofE programme.

·       First Welsh woman to climb Everest Tori James will take part with hundreds of others.

·       Gold DofE Award holder Alun Wyn Jones and presenter Matt Johnson also back the challenge, sponsored by Swansea Building Society.

Welsh rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones is among high-profile supporters calling on walkers in Wales to channel their inner Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) by taking on an exciting new fundraising challenge – raising money for more young people across Wales to do their DofE.

The DofE charity is inviting people to join family and friends to take on a fundraising walk along the spectacular Gower Coast, from Rhossili to Mumbles, on Saturday 9 September – choosing from a 10- or 22-mile route.

The challenge – sponsored by Swansea Building Society – is backed by Gold DofE Award holder and former British Lion and Welsh Rugby captain Alun Wyn Jones, broadcaster and mental health activist Matt Johnson, and professional adventurer and the first Welsh woman to climb Mount Everest, Tori James. 

Walkers will be raising money to help the DofE give marginalised young people across Wales the chance to achieve a life-changing Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Through their DofE, young people can have fun, grow in self-belief and resilience, discover new passions and develop vital skills to help them fulfil their potential.

Places are limited, and supporters can sign up now at dofe.org/event/gower-walk/. The challenge will be followed by a celebration, where walkers will be presented with their finisher’s medal.

Alun Wyn Jones, who is a Gold DofE Award holder, said: “Having lived close to the Gower for the majority of my life, I still haven’t seen about 75 per cent of it. Doing the Gower Walk is a brilliant opportunity to see some of Wales’s stunning coastal views and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits along the way.

“While doing so, you’ll raise funds for young adults from challenged backgrounds to access opportunities and enrich their lives. Good luck!”

Tori James, who will also take part in the walk, said: “The DofE Gower Walk is an incredible opportunity to take on a personal challenge, experience a spectacular coastline, and in turn help young people across Wales to realise their potential. Just one walk can benefit hundreds of young lives.”

The event is sponsored by Swansea Building Society, who are donating £20,000 to cover the organising costs of the event – ensuring that every pound raised will go directly to helping young people in Wales facing marginalisation to build life-long belief in themselves through DofE. 

Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award said:

“We’re thrilled to be launching our first ever Gower Walk to help give more young people across Wales the opportunity to do their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – empowering them to learn new skills, overcome obstacles and grow in self-belief and resilience. We know that the DofE can be truly life-changing for young people – particularly those from marginalised backgrounds – and by taking on this challenge, you’ll help ensure that every young person in Wales who wants to do their DofE has the chance to.”

The DofE is working to reach one million young people by 2026. In 2022/23, more than 11,000 young people in Wales started their DofE – and young people in Wales gave an amazing 90,103 hours to their communities for their Volunteering section, equivalent to more than £433,000 in estimated total value.

To do their DofE, young people aged 14-24 choose their own activities to complete Physical, Skills and Volunteering sections, an Expedition and a Residential at Gold level. They have fun, discover new passions, give back to their communities, grow in resilience and self-belief, and develop vital skills employers value – while working towards a widely recognised and respected Award. 

To find out more and sign up to the Gower Walk, visit: dofe.org/event/gower-walk