CHALLENGE100: ONE YEAR ON

On 10 June 2021, to mark the 100th year of our Founder, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, we launched Challenge100.

We asked people of all ages around the world to create a challenge around the number 100 and raise vital funds for the Foundation and help even more young people – particularly those from challenging or disadvantaged backgrounds – to take part in the Award.

Supporters were asked to pick an activity, using the Award’s sections for inspiration – Skills, Physical Recreation, Voluntary Service and Adventurous Journey – and create a challenge around the number 100.

And you delivered! We saw challenges happening all over the world, from Kenya, Cyprus, Cayman Islands, the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia, Belgium, Aotearoa New Zealand and many, many more places.

Award participants, volunteers, friends and family all took part – everyone from toddlers, grandparents to pet dogs got involved!

You had fun, challenged yourself and raised awareness of the Award and importantly, you helped us raise over £25,00 for the Foundation. And we know there was even more money raised for individual National Award Operators around the world too.

It’s impossible to touch on every bit of Challenge100 action, as there was just far too much! But we wanted to showcase just some of the challenges and the brilliant supporters who got involved.

NEVER TOO YOUNG TO GET INVOLVED

The Award in many of the CASC Regional Islands, including The Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana joined together to take part in the CASC Region Challenge100. Supporters were encouraged to take on a different challenge each month of the summer, corresponding to a different section of the Award.

Meet Bryn – at three years old, he was The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Bermuda’s youngest Challenge100 participant. Incredibly, Bryn only learned to swim four weeks ago beforehand. Here he is during his challenge to complete 100 strokes. What a hero!

BATTLING ALL WEATHERS

Gerry, a supporter of the Award in the Cayman Islands didn’t let hurricanes and tropical storms stop their challenge. Despite the weather pausing efforts at times, Gerry successfully completed 100 miles on a stationary bike and 100 miles walking… and raised a huge amount for the Foundation… over US$1,800.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

The El Hassan Youth Award created a truly community focused Challenge100.
Over six months, Award participants, volunteers and students from the University of Jordan,  distributed humanitarian donations to 100 families. Not only that, but they also launched a campaign to do 100 clean-ups in the community.

CARDS OF HOPE

Australian Gold Award holder, Sophia, is spread hope in her local community whilst raising money for the Award Foundation. She is wrote 100 Cards of Hope for youth in foster care. Specifically, 70 encouragement cards for youth during difficult transition times and 30 thank you cards to the social workers and staff who work with youth in foster care.

REDISCOVERING HOBBIES

Buffy, CEO of The Award USA set herself a challenge to dance 100 hours. When asked why she chose dancing for Challenge100, she said: “Why dance?  Well I dance in memory of my Mom who taught me to stroll dance.  I dance in celebration of living in the Dominican Republic during University, where my host family took the joy I found dancing, and what rhythm I had, and taught me to follow a lead.  I dance because swing dancing feels so natural, waltzing so romantic, and just turning on the radio in the kitchen and moving makes me happier.  It is time for me to get back to dancing more often and in so doing raise money for more young people to find their infinite potential.”

LOTS OF CYCLING

Cycling challenges were extremely popular around the world. Gold Award holder in Malaysia, Batrisyia Muhammad, cycled an amazing 100KM for #AwardChallenge100. Persatuan Belia Dinamik Barat went along to see her in action.

NOT JUST FOR HUMANS

Ginny and 16 of her canine friends in United Arab Emirates completed their Challenge100 too.
The dogs collectively completed 100 rounds of indoor agility training over one month to raise money for The Award. From puppies to older dogs, they all had a go and managed to hit their 100 and their fundraising target.

STEPPING OUT OF COMFORT ZONES AND GAINING CONFIDENCE

Bronze Award participants at Manaaki Ability Trust in Aotearoa New Zealand took on individual Challenge100s, pushing their limits and gaining confidence along the way. Amongst them was Sheldon, who successfully completed 100 start climbs in 100 days, and raised lots of funds for the Foundation in the process. You can read more about the group’s challenges here.

CHALLENGE100 IN OUR INDEPENDENT AWARD CENTRES

Many of our Independent Award Centres rose to the challenge too, with so many fun and creative activities raising awareness about the Award, involving the wider community and collecting donations for the Foundation.

Lycée International in France hosted an ‘Award in 100 minutes’ – participants, parents, teachers and family members joined together to try out activities from each section of the Award, including: litter picking, dog walking, learning braille, playing musical instruments, yoga, putting up tents, circuit training and more.

And students, staff and families at The International School Of Paphos joined together and walked over 100km in a special Moon Walk.

Thank you to each and every one of you took part and helped us raise vital funds for the Foundation, supporting us in our aim to make the Award accessible for every eligible person, particularly those considered at risk or marginalised.

Did you complete Challenge100?  Share your story with us at [email protected]